Poker is a card game played with chips. It is often played in groups of people around a table and the object is to win the pot (amount of all bets made in one deal) by having the highest ranking hand at the end of the deal. The game can be played with as few as two players, but it is most popular in groups of 6 or more. It is a fast-paced game with players betting in turn, either by calling a bet or raising it.

If you say “raise,” you add more money to the betting pool, and other players must choose whether to call your raise or fold their cards. You can also “call” a bet, meaning that you match the amount of the previous player’s raise. A player can only make a bet if they have the necessary amount of chips in their stack to do so.

Among the most important skills for winning at poker is being able to read other players’ tells, which include eye movements, idiosyncrasies and betting habits. You must also be able to distinguish between a good hand and a bad one.

It is also important to respect the rules of etiquette at the poker table, such as not talking when it’s not your turn to act. Talking can distract other players and give away information that can hurt your chances of winning. Moreover, it is impolite to gossip about other players’ cards or discuss the outcome of the previous hand.