Poker is a card game that involves betting and strategy, as well as a small element of chance. It is played by two or more players and can be played for money or simply for fun. There are many variations of the game, but most share certain common elements. The goal is to win a pot, which is the sum of all bets in a given deal. This may be done by a player having the highest-ranking hand, or by betting and making calls that other players cannot match. Players also may bluff, or make false claims about their hands, in order to try to influence the other players’ decisions.
In most games, each player buys in for a set amount of chips. There are usually a minimum of 200 chips in play, with each white chip worth a nominal ante or blind bet and each red chip representing five whites. There is also a central pot, and bets are placed into it in each round of the game.
While it is acceptable to leave your cards face up on the table and not hide them in your lap, you must keep them within sight of other players at all times, as it lets the other players know that you are still in the hand. Keeping your cards in plain sight also allows you to read other players’ betting patterns, which will help you decide whether or not to stay in a hand.