Poker is a card game of chance and skill, where players wager chips and compete for the highest hand. The goal is to form a poker hand (of five cards) ranked according to the rules of the game, and win the pot at the end of each betting round by having the highest-ranking hand. The game spread along the Mississippi River and beyond, becoming popular among crews of riverboats transporting goods up and down the Great River.

To start playing, a player must make one or more forced bets – either an ante or blind bet – and then the dealer shuffles and cuts the cards. Players then receive their cards, which may be face-up or down and depending on the variant of poker being played. There are then one or more betting intervals, until each player has equalized their bets by putting in the same number of chips as their predecessors.

The next step is to decide whether to fold, call, or raise your bet. You can also check, which means that you match the previous player’s raise and stay in the round. Raise is when you increase the size of your bet.

A top poker player must possess a variety of skills, including patience, reading other players’ bets and body language, studying bet sizes, and managing their bankroll. The most important thing is to practice – not just physically, but mentally – so that you can bring your best game consistently to the table.