Poker is a card game that requires skill and strategy to win. It is also a social activity and many people make it a regular part of their lives. There are a number of different ways to play the game, but all share some common rules. Players compete for an amount of money or chips contributed by each player, called the pot. Players attempt to control the pot based on their own hand, the cards in it, and their prediction of what their opponents may do.
The first step to becoming a good poker player is to learn the basic rules. A strong starting point is tight play, which means only playing strong hands and folding weaker ones. This reduces the chance of losing money on speculative hands. It is also important to understand how to use aggression, especially in small pots. This can be done by raising and calling, as well as bluffing.
The final betting phase in a poker hand is known as the showdown. After the players have all revealed their hands, the one with the best five-card hand wins the pot. It is important to remember that the winner of the hand can only win all the money at the table if they are the only player who has not folded. In the event that multiple players have a winning hand, it is possible to negotiate pre-game agreements on how this money will be divided up.