Poker is a card game played by two or more players. The object of the game is to form a poker hand with the highest ranking cards, and then win the pot (the sum of all bets placed during the betting interval) by showing your hand at the end of the deal.
Poker requires skill and luck, but to win you must be willing to put in the time, make tough decisions, and play solidly even when the chips are on the line. You also need to be able to handle the inevitable ups and downs of the game, and the disappointment of losing hands when you did everything right.
In poker, the best way to minimize risk is to only call when you have a good chance of making your draw. Otherwise, you should fold. This is particularly important when you’re bluffing. If your opponents know that you’re not raising, they can often fold their cards and stop the bluff.
Some players may decide to contribute to a common pool of money, called a “kitty,” before the cards are dealt. This money is used to pay for the decks of cards and other game supplies. Generally, players share equally in the kitty. Those who do not wish to contribute to the kitty may choose not to play. However, they are not entitled to the portion of the kitty that would have gone to the players who contributed. The kitty is usually established by majority agreement.