Poker is a card game in which players make a series of decisions each hand that have a significant impact on the outcome. These include whether to fold, call or raise a bet, and if so to what size. The goal is to win the pot, which contains all of the money that was put in as buy-ins. A player may also choose to place all of his or her remaining chips into the pot, which is called an all-in bet.

The first phase of betting occurs before the cards are dealt, when each player places a bet. Some variants of poker require players to pay an ante, while others use blind bets in addition to or instead of an ante.

After the antes are placed, each player is dealt 2 cards face-down (hidden from other players). Then another betting phase begins, and this time the player to the left of the big blind takes the lead.

If the player wants to stay in the pot, he must match the amount that has been raised since the last increase. He can then raise it further if he wishes. If he is unwilling to do either, he must fold his hand.

If the player decides to fold, he forfeits all of the money that he or she had put in as a bet that round. This is often the correct strategy when a player is confident that their hand will not be the best.