Poker is a card game in which players compete against each other to have the best hand. Most poker games use a standard deck of 52 cards, with four of each suit – clubs, hearts, and diamonds. In poker, the players place bets by placing chips on the table. They then have to read the strength of their hands, and decide whether to call or fold based on their perception of the odds. If all the players call, the player with the highest hand wins. Hundreds of variations of poker exist, and each one involves a certain amount of chance.

A major recent trend has been a surge in traffic to online poker sites. This growth in popularity coincided with the indefinite closure of many live gaming venues around the world. Many unlicensed venues also shut down, leaving a shortage of entertainment options. This has spurred many casual players to use online poker sites as an alternative. Operators have reported traffic double or more than before.

If you’re a beginner to poker, it’s a good idea to sign up for a free poker account to get started. These websites are usually easy to use and will give you the basic tools needed to start playing.