A card game in which players wager their chips (representing money, for which poker is almost invariably played) on the outcome of a hand. The value of a hand is in inverse proportion to its mathematical frequency, and it can be enhanced by betting (known as raising or bluffing) by players holding superior hands or trying to take advantage of the weakness of other players’ hands.

A poker table consists of a cloth or felt surface on which the cards are dealt. A poker game is usually contested by seven or more players and requires a supply of poker chips, typically white or light-colored chips that can be bought for a fixed amount.

Each player receives two cards, known as hole cards. These are dealt face down. Then five community cards are dealt in stages, starting with a series of three cards called the flop, then an additional card called the turn and finally a final card called the river. The player with the best five-card hand wins the pot.

To play a hand, you must first place an ante in the pot. Then you must decide whether to open the betting by saying “I call” or similar to match a bet made by the player before you. You can also say “I raise” or similar to increase the bet by an amount you feel comfortable with.

A good strategy is to bet aggressively with strong hands and to check or fold weaker ones. It’s important to play from late positions because they allow you to manipulate the pot on later betting streets.