Poker is a card game (and some dice games, but those are a little more complicated and less popular) that involves using a combination of skill and luck to create a stronger hand than your opponents. The heart of the game is betting, which can greatly alter the strength of a given hand.

Each betting interval, called a round, begins with one player placing a bet of one or more chips into the pot. Players to the left can “call” that bet by putting in the same number of chips, or they can raise the bet by adding more chips into the pot. They can also fold their cards, leaving the game until the next deal.

Once all the betting is done, each player turns over their cards. The player with the best hand wins the pot. If there is a tie, the highest card breaks it.

When learning to play poker, it’s important to understand how to read other players. Watch out for tells, which are nonverbal gestures that signal a person’s confidence level. For example, if someone is fiddling with their coins or staring at their hands, they may be nervous.

It’s also important to remember that poker is a game of chance, and even the most skilled players will lose a few hands in a row from time to time. But if you keep playing, and make smart decisions in the long run, you will be able to improve your skills.