In poker, players place chips into a pot (a communal pool of money) for the right to win a hand. The game has countless variants, but most involve betting and bluffing. In addition to the innate skill involved in playing cards, success at poker depends heavily on understanding the psychology of players and applying game theory.

The game starts with 2 hole cards being dealt to each player. Then there is a round of betting, starting with the player on the left of the dealer. This is called the flop. There can be more rounds of betting after the flop, depending on the type of poker being played.

Once all the players have their hands, a final round of betting takes place. The highest poker hand wins the pot. If no one has a high enough hand to win, the pot is split between the players.

A key part of poker is knowing when to fold. This requires overcoming cognitive biases like the fear of missing out or the desire to prove the strength of your hand. By making well-timed folds, you can protect your bankroll and increase your overall profitability. To learn how to make these decisions, study the games you play and practice reading your opponents’ tells (or non-verbal cues). It is also important to learn the rules of the game and how to calculate odds. You should always balance your chances of hitting a draw against the pot odds to determine whether or not it is worth calling.