Poker is a card game where players make bets to win the pot, which is composed of chips (representing money) placed in the center of the table. The winning hand is determined after a number of betting rounds based on the specific poker variant. Players may raise, call, or fold during each round. Players may also bluff by betting that they have a strong hand when in reality they do not, but this is frowned upon and often punished with a hefty loss.

There are many different poker variants, but Texas Hold ’Em is the one most people think of when they hear the word poker. This is the type of poker featured in major tournaments and on TV shows. Some players even make a living playing this game.

The first step to learning poker is understanding the rules. There are a few basic ones, but the most important is knowing how to read a board. This includes noticing the flop, turn, and river and predicting what your opponents will do with their cards.

Another essential thing to know is how to play your hands. A good starting point is to only play a hand when you have the best chance of winning. This means avoiding ace-heavy boards like aces and kings.

You should also try to act in late position as much as possible. This gives you more information than your opponents and allows you to make better value bets. In addition, it helps you avoid calling re-raises with weak or marginal hands.