Poker is a card game that millions of people play both online and live. It’s a popular activity for people of all ages and it’s easy to understand why.

Generally, the aim of a game of poker is to make the best 5-card hand that can be made from the cards dealt to each player. The best possible hands are called high cards or pairs, and if two or more players have the same combination they play a showdown to decide who wins the pot.

The rules vary from game to game, but in most versions a single deck of cards is used. The dealer deals each player one card face down and one card face up.

When a betting round begins, each player may either raise or fold. If he or she does not match the size of the biggest raise, all remaining players advance to a second betting round known as the flop.

If the flop improves your hand, you should always raise. If you have a weak hand, you should limp.

Read your opponents

Whether you’re playing online or offline, it’s essential to develop the skill of reading other players. This means learning their tells – eye movements, facial expressions and body language.

These tells are part of the psychology of the game and help you determine what a player is holding. They can also be a key to making a decision that maximizes your odds of winning.