The game of Poker is a card game where players place bets on the strength of their hands. The goal is to form the highest-ranking hand based on the cards you hold, in order to win the pot of money at the end of each betting round. While luck has a role to play in the game, skill can outweigh luck over time. A good poker player focuses on the fundamentals of the game, including smart bankroll management and bet size. They also practice and study the game to improve their instincts.

To begin a hand of Poker, one or more players must make forced bets, usually an ante and a blind bet. The dealer then shuffles the cards and deals them, starting with the player to their left. The players then reveal their cards and the first of several betting rounds begins. Depending on the variant of poker, some of the cards may be dealt face up while others are dealt face-down.

Top players fast-play their strong hands, raising bets and building the pot. This strategy can help them to catch opponents off guard and scare them away from calling larger bets in subsequent betting rounds.

The game of Poker became popular in the early 21st century due to the introduction of online poker and the invention of hole-card cameras. This technology allowed viewers to see the holes in each card and brought the game out of the Wild West saloons and into the mainstream. Poker is a popular spectator sport with broadcasts of major tournaments drawing in large audiences.