Poker is a card game in which players place bets on a hand of cards. It is a game that requires considerable skill and strategy to play well. The object of the game is to win the pot, which is the total sum of bets placed by all players on a particular deal. This can be done either by having the best hand or by making a bet that no other player calls.

There are many different forms of poker, each with its own rules and traditions. However, all poker games share some common characteristics. For example, all poker games require a dealer and chips. There are also some common bets, such as “calling” (betting the amount of money raised by the person before you) or “raising” (“raising the amount of your own bet to entice others into raising their bets”).

During a game, a player may choose to “showdown” and compare his or her cards with those of the other players. A player with a good hand is usually able to increase the size of his or her bets. It is also important to know how to read other players’ tells, which are unconscious habits that reveal information about a player’s hand. These tells can include eye contact, facial expressions, body language, and even gestures.

The game became increasingly popular early in the 21st century, largely due to the rise of online poker and broadcasts of major poker tournaments. These events brought in large audiences and helped make poker a spectator sport.