Poker is a card game in which players wager their money (called chips) on the outcome of a hand. The game has many variants, but all share certain essential features. The highest hand wins the pot, or all of the players’ bets combined. Players may also place bets without holding a hand, such as by raising, and are free to bluff.

Each player is dealt a set number of cards face down. The first player to act may raise his or her bet, called betting, for any amount up to the maximum amount allowed by the game rules. Then each remaining player must either call the bet, raise it, or fold.

A poker hand consists of five cards. The rank of the cards is determined by their mathematical frequency; for example, an Ace high straight flush is rarer than a low straight, which is much more common. There are four suits, spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs; but no suit is higher than another. In some games, additional cards are added as wild cards, which can take on any suit or rank.

A basic strategy for poker is to always play your strongest hands, but don’t overplay a bad one. You should also be able to read your opponents. Conservative players will often fold early, while aggressive ones will bet large amounts to force weaker hands out of the pot. It’s also helpful to watch experienced players, and try to emulate their behavior to develop quick instincts.