Poker is a card game in which players compete to win a pot (a sum of all bets made by the players during one deal). The game is played with anywhere from 2 to 14 people. Each player puts chips representing money into a common pot before each betting round. These bets are called “blinds.”
When players reveal their hands at the end of a betting round, the game ends. The last player to reveal his or her hand wins the pot.
The game requires concentration. Players must pay attention not only to the cards, but also to the reactions of other players. They must look for “tells”—indicators that a player is stressed, bluffing, or happy with his or her hand. They must also be able to quickly calculate the odds of making a certain type of poker hand.
In addition, a strong poker player must be able to balance risk and reward when playing draws. For example, if an opponent moves all in with a weak but drawing hand, the player must decide whether to call and hope for a miracle or fold. Over time, the skillful player will learn to make the right decisions about when to call or fold.