A game of incomplete information, poker requires players to make decisions based on the cards they have. It also teaches players how to piece together the little pieces of information that their opponents give away to build a story about them — whether they have a strong hand or a weak one. Then they can use that information to their advantage. Each action (fold, call, check or raise) communicates something about the player’s hand, and good players take the time to study their results and learn from them.

Players play in rounds. The first two players to the left of the dealer have to place a small blind and a big blind bet before they see their starting hands. This creates a pot and encourages competition. Players can fold, check (no bet), call (match a previous player’s bet) or raise (bet a larger amount than a previous bet).

Each round ends when all players except the dealer have called the last bet and there are no more raises. All the cards are then revealed and whoever has the best hand wins the pot. It’s important to know the ranks of hands – for example, a straight beats a flush and three of a kind beats two pair.

Poker teaches strategic thinking and emotional regulation. It also develops analytical skills because you are reading other players’ body language and behaviour to determine their intentions. It’s also a great social game and an opportunity to practice verbal communication.