Poker is a card game played by two or more players. Whether you’re playing with friends or a big tournament, the goal is to get as close to a perfect five-card hand as possible.

There are many different variations of poker, but all are based on the same core principles. Each player puts a small amount of money into the pot before the cards are dealt. This money is called an ante or blind. In addition, a player can raise the bets of other players to increase the stakes.

After each betting interval a player can call (match the previous player’s bet amount to stay in the hand), fold or raise a bet. Raise means to increase the current highest bet, and this can be done by matching or increasing a player’s raise – known as a ‘check-raise’.

When a player makes a bet they must put into the pot at least as many chips as the person to their left. A player can also bluff by making an all-in bet, which is when they bet all their chips.

In the early stages of learning to play poker, it’s important to think about what your opponents might have in their hands. This helps you make decisions that maximize your chances of winning. One way to do this is by working out their ranges, which is the selection of hands they could have that beat yours. By understanding an opponent’s range you can decide if it is worth raising your bet or if it is better to just call.