A game of poker is played between two or more players and involves betting and raising money. The highest hand wins the pot. Players can also bluff, trying to convince other players that they have a strong hand when in reality they do not.

The first step in becoming a better poker player is to develop a solid range of hands that you play in all situations. Pocket pairs, suited aces, and broadway hands are all good starting hands to build from.

Another important aspect of being a good poker player is being able to read your opponents. This includes noticing subtle physical tells and understanding how they will react to different events within the game. For example, if an opponent raises you on the flop and continues their aggression on further streets, it is likely that they have a strong hand.

The rules of poker vary according to the variation being played, but most variants involve forcing players to make an ante bet before dealing the cards. The dealer then shuffles the deck, cuts it, and deals each player five cards. The player to the left of the button takes their seat and begins the first of several rounds of betting. Between each round, the players’ hands will develop, either by receiving additional cards or discarding them. Eventually, all the remaining cards will be revealed and the winner is declared. If there is more than one winner, the pot is split among the winning players.