Poker is a card game based on the principle of betting. It is usually played with a minimum of two players, and involves placing bets into the pot before being dealt cards. These bets are called forced bets, and they come in the form of antes, blinds or bring-ins. Once the bets have been equalized, there is a showdown and the best hand wins the pot.
Unlike some other games, where the outcome of each hand depends significantly on chance, poker is a game in which most decisions are made by the player based on probability, psychology and game theory. This is because the player only places money into the pot if she believes that the bet has a positive expected value, or is trying to bluff other players for various strategic reasons.
Before the cards are dealt there is a betting interval initiated by two mandatory bets called blinds placed into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. After this betting interval, each player is dealt two cards face up, and the hand is then shown to the other players who then have the option of either matching or raising the latest bet, or folding their hands.
The betting pattern of a player is often used as a broad measure of skill. For example, a tight player is one who voluntarily raises less than average, while an aggressive player is one who calls or raises frequently. The difference between these playing styles is a key factor in understanding how to read other players and improve your own poker skills.