Poker is a card game played between two or more players. It is a game of skill, chance, and mental strategy. There are many different variations of the game, but they all share certain fundamentals. The object of the game is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets made during a hand.

Depending on the rules of the game, one or more players are required to place an initial amount of money into the pot before the cards are dealt. This is called an ante or blind bet and is intended to create an incentive for players to compete in the hand.

After the antes or blinds are placed, the dealer will shuffle and deal the cards to each player, starting with the player to their left. The players may choose to “call” or raise the amount of money that they are betting. A player who calls a bet must match it or risk folding their hand.

After all players have received their 2 hole cards, there will be another round of betting. Then, 3 more community cards will be revealed on the table, known as the flop. This is the time to start analyzing the table and making sure that you are well positioned for a good final hand. Depending on the rules of your game, you may also be able to draw replacement cards for your existing ones during or after this round of betting.