Poker is a card game played by two or more people. It is a game of chance, but can also involve strategic planning and psychology. It is a common social activity and can be enjoyed by all ages. The game has many benefits, including teaching math skills and developing focus and discipline. In addition, it has several physical health benefits, including lowering stress levels and providing an energy boost. It can be a great way to meet new people and make friends.
The game has a dealer, who is responsible for shuffling the cards and dealing them to each player. Often, the dealer is a non-player who is given a special chip to identify them as the dealer. The turn to bet and to deal passes in rotation from one player to the next after each round of betting.
A round of betting begins once each player has 2 cards, which are hidden from the other players (these are called the hole or pocket cards). In some variations of poker, there are mandatory bets made before each player is dealt their cards, which are known as blind bets.
A player may choose to call a bet, or raise it. A player who raises must match the amount raised by the previous player to stay in the pot. They can also fold, which means that they will give up their hand and are no longer competing for the pot. This is done when a player knows that they have no chance of winning the pot with their current hand.