Poker is a card game in which players place bets (called “betting”) against one another based on the strength of their hands and other information. Unlike other gambling games, where the outcome of a hand is substantially determined by chance, poker involves more skill and psychology than luck. The game is played in a variety of ways. Whether you play the game at home, in a bricks-and-mortar casino, or at an online casino, the basics of the game are the same: You make a forced bet (the ante or blind) before the dealer shuffles and deals cards to each player one at a time. Then, each player places a bet (called raising) into the pot to increase their chances of winning the hand.

For example, say you dealt yourself a pair of kings off the flop. You may think this isn’t a great hand but it’s not terrible either. However, you may be tempted to stay in the hand for free or for very little money by hoping that the river gives you that perfect 10 to complete your straight or the two diamonds to give you a flush. Continuing to call every card will cost you money, and while sometimes your luck might turn on the river it is better in the long run to fold when you don’t have a strong enough hand. This is called being intelligent and knowing when to quit a hand. Then you can move on to the next hand!