Poker is a card game in which players place bets on the strength of their cards. There are a number of different betting phases in the game, and a player can call, check or fold during each one. The player with the best hand at the end of the round wins the pot. In some cases, a player will raise all of their remaining chips in a single bet, known as an all-in. This is a risky move, but can be profitable in the long run if done correctly.
The game is a mix of luck and skill, with the latter being more important in the long term. The game has resisted the encroachment of technology longer than most other games, and it is still difficult to achieve true mastery. However, it has become easier to understand how to play the game and many amateurs are taking it more seriously.
The game is played on a table, with the players sitting in a circle around it. A token called the button rotates clockwise among the players to indicate who is dealing the cards in a particular hand. Each player is dealt 2 cards face down, which are hidden from the other players. Three additional cards are then dealt face up in the center of the table, called the flop. These are community cards that all players use to make their 5-card hands. Another betting phase then begins, with the player to the left of the button being first to act.