Poker is a card game played by several players over multiple rounds. In each round, each player puts money into the pot based on the strength of their cards. The goal is to have the best 5-card hand at the end of the round, usually winning the entire pot.
In each betting interval, a player may make a bet by putting into the pot as many chips as any player before him, called “calling.” A player may also raise their bet by putting in more than the number of chips required for the last call. A player may also “fold,” which is to discard their hand and be out of the betting until the next round.
A player may also “check” if no one has made a bet in that betting interval. Checking is an effective way to force weaker hands out of the pot.
A player can also win the game by bluffing, which is to bet that they have the best hand when in fact they do not. A good bluff will result in other players calling the bet and folding their hands. Occasionally, with good bluffing skills and luck, a bad hand can win the game.