Poker is a card game in which players make wagers with chips or cash. The objective of the game is to win the pot, which is the sum total of all bets made during one hand. The winning hand is determined at the showdown after all players reveal their cards.
There are many different types of poker, and the game can be played with 2 to 14 players. In most cases, the game is played with six or seven players. Each player places an initial amount of money into the pot (called an ante or blind) before being dealt cards. Each betting interval, called a round, begins when a player in turn raises his or her bet. If a player cannot call the last bet, he must fold his or her cards.
When you say “call,” you mean to match the previous player’s bet. For example, if the player to your left raised $10, you can call it by saying “I call” and placing the same amount of money into the pot.
Bluffing is a huge part of poker. It’s important to know when to bluff, and how much to bluff. Doug Polk has a great article on the subject, Bluffing in Poker Explained. It’s well worth a read!