Poker is a card game where the best hand wins. The game is mostly based on chance, but some skill and psychology also come into play. The best players are able to control their emotions and play in ways that maximize their chances of winning.

When you say “call” in poker, you’re saying that you want to make a bet the same amount as the player before you. You will put chips into the pot equal to their bet (representing money) and then you will continue playing the hand.

Another phrase that you will hear often is ‘play the opponent, not your cards’. This is an old saying that means your hand is only good or bad relative to what other people are holding. For example, if you have a pair of kings and the person to your right has A-A, then your kings will lose 82% of the time.

Once all the players have their 2 hole cards, there is a round of betting. It begins with the player to the left of the dealer and then moves clockwise.

There are many different types of poker, but the most popular ones include Texas hold’em and Omaha. These two are the most common and have the largest prize pools of any of the games. You can find poker tournaments in casinos, online and at private parties.