Poker is a popular card game that can be played online or in person. There are many different variations of the game, but it’s all about making a strong hand and beating your opponents.

There are a few things you need to know before playing poker. These include the ante, blinds, and all-in. The ante is a minimum amount of money that players have to put into the pot before they get cards.

Blinds are a type of bet made by players before they are dealt their cards. These bets can vary in size depending on the amount of money being played, but they always start off the betting round.

When you are playing poker, you should remember that every hand is a separate event. You should never bet on a hand you haven’t even thought of calling yet, and you should only call the clock when it’s your time to do so.

The first thing you should do in a poker game is to treat your opponents with respect. If you’re a player with a really big decision, give the other players at the table a chance to think it over.

You should also avoid the move of “sandbagging”. Sandbagging is when a player checks their hand and tries to hide their chips to make it appear as though they don’t have a strong hand.

In the 21st century, poker became more popular thanks to the World Series of Poker and broadcasts of tournaments on TV. These events brought in huge audiences and turned the game into a spectator sport.