Poker is a card game played by two or more players. It is a game of chance, but one where knowledge and skill can give you an edge over your opponents. There are many ways to improve your game, from reading strategy guides to discussing hands with fellow players for a more objective look at your play.

Each player puts an amount of money into the pot before the cards are dealt. These bets are called the blinds, antes, or bring-ins. A player wins the pot (the sum of all the bets placed) when they have a better hand than everyone else.

A winning poker hand is a combination of cards of the same rank. The rank of a card is determined by the number of that type of card in the deck. A full house contains three cards of the same rank and two matching side cards. A flush contains five cards that are consecutive in rank, but can be from different suits. A straight is five cards in a row, but they don’t have to be in order (like ace-high).

The earlier your position at the table, the more risk you take by acting first. You are also at a disadvantage because you have less information about your opponent’s hand. Top players often check with their strong hands, which gives them a good opportunity to win the pot by bluffing, since their opponents are unlikely to fold.