A poker game is a card game that involves betting between players and, in some cases, the addition of chips to the pot. A player with the highest hand wins the pot. Players may also bet against each other without holding a hand, known as bluffing. A good bluff can deceive opponents into thinking that a player has a strong hand, allowing him to call bets that he would otherwise have avoided.
Before the cards are dealt, the players must place an initial amount of money into the pot called a blind or an ante. The players then receive five cards, which they can use to create a poker hand. The poker hand can be improved by adding other cards from the table or, in some cases, by drawing replacement cards. In some poker games, players may also exchange their cards for those of another player if they have a better pair or higher.
Players may also increase their stakes by raising a bet made by a previous player. If a player does raise a bet, the other players must choose whether to call it or fold their hand. In some poker games, a player who wants to stay in the pot must match the last raised bet, instead of simply increasing his own stake by a certain amount. This rule is sometimes called the “matching method.” It can help reduce confusion and ensure that all players are playing with the same rules.