Poker is a card game in which players place bets to form a winning hand based on the cards dealt. The winner claims the pot, which is the sum of all bets made. In addition, a player can win by making an aggressive bet that leads to the others folding their hands. This can be done either by calling or raising the bet.

A player must also consider the probability that his opponent has a better hand than his own. This requires him to calculate the range of possible hands that his opponent could have and then work out how likely it is that he will have a hand in this range. The best players develop their strategy through detailed self-examination and discussion with other players.

To play the game of poker you must be able to read your opponents. This means that you must know when your opponents have a good hand or are bluffing. It is important to mix up your style of play so that your opponents don’t get a feel for what you have in your hand.

There is a round of betting in poker after each player has received 2 hole cards. This round is started by 2 mandatory bets called blinds put into the pot by the two players to the left of the dealer. Then, one more card is dealt face up. The player on the left of the dealer can check, raise or fold.