Poker is a card game played between two or more players and governed by a set of rules. It is often considered a game of chance, but skill is also an important factor in long term success.

Depending on the particular poker variant being played, one or more players may be required to make an initial contribution to the pot before cards are dealt. These are called forced bets and come in the form of antes or blind bets.

Once the cards have been dealt, a series of betting intervals begin, with each player in turn having the option to either call the current bet (place chips into the pot equal to or greater than the amount placed by the player before him) or raise it. If a player chooses to raise, he must place into the pot enough chips to cover all calls made before him.

To increase your chances of winning, try to identify players’ betting patterns. For example, conservative players avoid high betting early in a hand and can be easily bluffed. Aggressive players, on the other hand, can be spotted by their tendency to bet heavily before seeing how other players respond to their hands. Learning to read your opponents’ behavior can help you develop better instincts and determine which hands are worth playing and which ones to fold. You should also remember that there is always risk associated with every bet in poker and life.