Poker is a card game played with 2 to 14 players. The goal is to win the pot (the total amount of bets placed) by making the best five-card poker hand. There are many variations of the game, but all involve betting and bluffing. Some forms of poker can be played with as few as two players, but the ideal number is six or seven.
Each player starts with a set amount of chips. A white chip is worth the minimum ante or bet, and red chips are worth a higher value. When you want to add money to the pot, say “raise,” and the other players must call your bet or fold.
After the first round of betting is complete the dealer deals 3 cards face up on the table. These are called the flop and they are community cards that anyone can use in their poker hand. Then another round of betting starts, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.
A good poker player should bet aggressively to force weak hands out of the hand. When you have a strong pre-flop hand like AQ, don’t be afraid to raise with it. This will reduce the chances that one of your opponents gets lucky and beats you with an unlucky flop. You should also bet on the flop if you have a strong one, as this will cause your opponent to fold their weaker ones.