Poker is a card game played with a group of people. Players put an amount of money into the pot before cards are dealt. This is called a forced bet and can come in the form of an ante, blind bet or bring-in. A player can also choose to bluff during the hand. This can force weak hands out and increase the value of the pot.

After the forced bets are placed, the dealer shuffles and cuts the deck. Players are then dealt 5 cards. Each player must make the best 5-card hand from their own cards to win the pot. A round of betting then begins, beginning with the player to their left.

One of the most important skills to learn in poker is knowing when to walk away from a bad hand. This requires a good understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as how to weigh up the risks associated with different options. This skill can be useful in many situations, including the workplace.

One of the best books on this topic is Excelling at No-Limit Hold’em, which is a compilation of interviews with top players and mindset experts in poker. This book is written to be read like a conversation, rather than a textbook, making it easier for readers to absorb the material and apply it to their own play. This approach also helps to keep the reading process entertaining and engaging, which is a key factor in keeping readers engaged.