Poker is a card game that involves strategy and a little bit of luck, but mostly it’s about making smart decisions and knowing when to fold. It’s a great way to build confidence in taking risks, which can help you succeed at work or in other aspects of your life.

Depending on the rules, one or more players are required to place an initial amount of money into the pot before the cards are dealt. These are called forced bets and come in the form of ante, blind bets or bring-ins (a player puts all their remaining chips into the pot; this is known as going “all in”).

After the forced bets are placed, the dealer shuffles the cards and deals them to each player one at a time. The player to the left of the dealer begins the betting phase.

Players must decide whether to call, raise or fold based on their individual cards and the strength of other hands at the table. The goal is to make a winning hand before the showdown. A winning hand can be a straight, flush, three of a kind or a full house.

Successful poker players have quick instincts and can read other players. This involves observing their body language, facial expressions and gestures. Getting to know these tells can give you a big advantage at the table. It is also important to have a good understanding of probability.