Poker is a game played between two or more players using cards and chips. The objective is to make the best five card hand by combining your own two cards with the five community cards in order to win the pot (all the chips that have been bet so far). The game is fun and social and you can often meet some great people at the poker table.

One of the things that separates good poker players from great ones is their ability to control their emotions and make rational decisions under pressure. This is known as a meta-skill and is the result of years of training and practice. In addition to improving your skills at the game, it is important to read books and watch videos about the game to increase your knowledge base and gain new strategies.

Another skill that is essential for winning is understanding how to read other players’ tells. A tell is a subtle signal that reveals information about a player’s hand. These signals can be as simple as a change in body language or as complex as a facial expression.

During the betting phase of the round, players take turns revealing their hands. Each player is required to call, raise, or fold based on their cards and the current situation. If a player wants to place all of their remaining chips into the pot, they can make an all-in bet. Depending on the variant of poker being played, there may be additional betting rules that must be followed.