Poker is a card game played by two or more players. It is a game of strategy, where the player with the highest-ranking hand wins the pot at the end of the betting phase.

The game starts with each player putting in an amount of money, called the ante, before they are dealt two cards. This creates a pot and encourages competition. A good poker player has several skills, including discipline and focus. They also need to choose the right game limits for their bankroll and only participate in games that are profitable.

Once everyone has their two cards, they must decide whether to stay in the hand or fold. It is important to understand the probability of drawing the cards that you need to win your hand. For example, if you have a pair of spades and there are 13 spades in the deck, it is unlikely that you will draw another one and therefore, you should probably fold.

In the next phase of betting, the dealer will put down a third card, known as the turn. This will make it possible for players to check, raise or fold their hands.

In the final betting phase, the dealer will put down a fifth card, known as the river. This will reveal the full community of five cards and players must decide whether to continue to the showdown or fold their hand. During this stage it is usually best to raise your bets to get other players to call, especially if you have a strong hand.