Poker is a card game that involves betting between players. It is believed to be an ancestor of other card games like blackjack and rummy. There are several variations of poker and different rules for how to play it.

There are also some basic rules that every player must follow. One important rule is not to reveal any cards to other players during a hand. This is known as “secret betting” and it helps protect players’ privacy and keeps the game fair for everyone. Another rule is not to call a raise if you don’t want to increase your bet amount. This allows players to bet only the amount they have in front of them, and it prevents people from raising their hands if they don’t think they’ll win.

Before a hand begins, each player must contribute an amount of money to the pot called the ante. This is usually equal to the blind and gives the pot a value right off the bat.

Once the antes are in, the cards are dealt. The first betting round is called the flop. The dealer then puts a fourth community card on the board, and each player can bet again. The highest-ranking hand wins the pot.

A flush is five consecutive cards of the same suit (either clubs, diamonds, hearts or spades). A straight is 5 cards in sequence but not in suits. A full house is 3 matching cards of a rank and 2 matching cards of another rank. A pair is two distinct cards of the same rank. High card breaks ties.

If you have a strong hand, be sure to call a lot of raises. This will force weaker hands out of the hand and raise your chances of winning. If you don’t have a good hand, try to fold early. This will save you a lot of money and keep your chip count low.

It’s important to know how to read your opponents’ betting patterns. Conservative players tend to fold early in the hand, while aggressive players are more likely to call higher bets. If you can tell how players are betting, you’ll be able to make better decisions and avoid losing too much money.

When it’s your turn to act, you can say “call” or “I call” to match the last player’s bet. You can also say “raise” to add more money to the pot. If you raise, the other players must call your new bet or fold.