Poker is a card game that can be played by two or more people. It is very fast-paced and players bet until someone has all the chips or everyone folds. The game is also very strategic, with many decisions based on probability and psychology.

Once the players have their two hole cards, a round of betting begins. This is initiated by 2 mandatory bets called blinds that are placed into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer.

After the bets are made, the players begin revealing their hands one by one. If a player has the best 5-card hand at this point, they win the pot. If there is a tie, the players with the best hands share the money.

A player can also choose to remain in the pot by raising his stake, known as equalizing. He can raise it higher than the last raiser or he can raise it even more, but he cannot win any more than his total stake if he calls.

This is an important part of the game, as it allows you to see your opponents’ bets and compare your odds of making a good hand against theirs. This is a vital skill for any serious poker player, and you can learn it by reading books and playing in live games.