Poker is a card game that has many variants. Some are purely recreational, and others can be played for money or other prizes. In the latter case, it is often referred to as a cash game. It is generally played with a group of players, with one player acting as the dealer. Players bet on each hand, and the winner takes all of the chips that have been raised. The total amount of money bet in a round is called the pot. The winner may choose to keep the pot, or share it with other players in a draw. Some variations of the game require that a player make an equalization bet before each betting round, known as the ante. This happens before the players are dealt their cards and must be made before a player can raise.
A player may also decide to make a bet without raising, which is known as checking. If another player calls, they must raise or drop, and the round of betting is over. Players can also put all of their remaining chips into the pot, a bet known as an all-in. This must be done according to special rules, which vary by variation.
At the highest levels of competition, poker requires a great deal of skill and reading your opponent’s behavior. This is not something easy to learn, and the lessons of poker are not easily transferable to life outside the game. It is easy to be fooled by your own certainties, and to fall into habits that distort your decisions.