Poker is a game of cards played by two or more people. It is a betting game in which the highest hand wins. It has a long history and can be found in almost every country where cards are used. The game has a number of different variants and is played with different rules, but the basic concept remains the same.

Each player places an ante in the pot before he or she is dealt five cards. Then the players can choose to “call” (match the last raise and remain in the pot) or to fold their hands. If a player calls, then the rest of the players must also call in order to keep the pot open.

To call, a player must say “I call” and then place the amount of his or her own stake in the pot in chips. Each chip has a value, usually white or some light colored ones for the lowest amount, red for a higher stake and so on.

It is important to know how to read the tells of other players in poker. This is a skill that takes practice, but it can be very useful for winning the game. These tells include body language, facial expressions and other nonverbal behavior. They can be as simple as a change in posture or as complicated as a gesture. The ability to read the tells of others can make or break a poker player’s career.