Poker is a card game played by two or more people. It involves betting, bluffing and the use of a community of cards. The game is popular worldwide for its entertainment value and as a way to win money. It has also become a significant part of popular culture.

There are many variants of the game, but all involve a central pot, with players contributing to it voluntarily. The amount a player contributes is known as his stake. The size of a stake is relative to the number of cards in a player’s hand and to the value of his potential winnings. The size of a bet may also be influenced by the players’ expectations and confidence levels.

In the opening stages of a hand, bet sizes are small and players are generally feeling each other out. As the action heats up, players increase their bets and bluff more frequently. When a player has a strong enough hand to win, they raise the stakes even further and force the other players to call their bets.

A player whose hand does not meet the minimum requirements for a bet is said to fold, and the remaining players collect the pot. Players may also equalize their bets by raising them to the same level as the last raiser. In a showdown, the player who has the strongest hand wins. The game is also a great vehicle for establishing character, and plot development. By focusing on the way players react to their own cards and to those of their opponents, writers can bring the nuances of the game to life.