Poker is a card game played between two or more players and played for a pot of money. The game has rules governing how bets are placed and raised, and how cards are discarded and replaced in the course of a hand. The goal is to have a winning hand by making bets that other players will call or raise. A number of other strategies, including bluffing, can be used to increase one’s chances of winning.

Poker can be played on a table with any number of players, although the ideal amount is 6. Each player places an initial forced bet (usually an ante or blind bet), and then deals themselves five cards. The cards may be dealt face up or face down, depending on the game and the rules. A round of betting then takes place, and at the end of each betting round all bets are gathered into the pot.

The rank of standard poker hands is determined by their odds (probability), with the highest-ranking hand winning. If more than one hand has the same rank, ties are broken by the highest unmatched cards or secondary pairs (in a full house, for example).

To improve at poker, players need to understand and apply correct strategy regardless of format. This is why it’s important to find good games and learn to read the table. In addition, a solid understanding of math is essential for accurate decision-making. Our Workbook will help you memorize key formulas, internalize calculations, and build your intuition to make better decisions at the tables.