Poker is a card game of chance and skill that has become an international phenomenon. It is played in many different ways, but the basic rules are similar. You must be able to read the other players, or at least understand their actions, in order to make good decisions. Every action you take — whether it is to call, raise, or fold – communicates information to your opponents. If you are trying to bluff, you must know when and against whom to use it.
In each betting interval one player, as designated by the rules of the particular poker variant being played, has the privilege or obligation to place chips (representing money, for which poker is almost invariably played) into the pot. Then the remaining players place their chips in turn. Each bet must be at least equal to the amount placed by the player before him.
Once the first betting round is complete the dealer deals three cards face up on the table – these are community cards that everyone can use to create their best five card hand. This is called the flop and the remaining players can now make their decision based on this new information.
Bluffing should be a very limited part of your overall strategy. Too much bluffing will not only give away your hand, but also make it very hard to win. Study the moves of experienced players and learn from their mistakes and successful plays.