Poker is a card game of chance where players place chips into the pot and try to make the best hand. Most variants of the game can be played with between two and 14 players, but the ideal number is six or seven. The aim is to win the pot, which is the total amount of bets made by all players in a single deal. This can be achieved by having the highest-ranking hand or by making a bet that no one else calls.

Some theories claim that poker has ancient roots, such as 10th-century Chinese domino games or a 16th-century Persian game called As Nas. However, its most direct ancestor is probably a 17th-century French game called Poque or a German version of it known as Pochen. Both are closely related to the game of bluffing, which is an important element of poker strategy. The game is believed to have arrived in the United States early in the 19th century, where it quickly spread among riverboat crews and in gambling parlors.

While a good poker player can make some luck-based decisions, the ability to predict what other players will do is an essential skill in poker. Trying to play it safe results in missing out on opportunities where a moderate risk could yield a substantial reward. Similarly, being confident in life can get you through a job interview ahead of someone with a stronger CV but it is no excuse for avoiding risks where they may be warranted.