Poker is a card game in which players place bets into the pot before being dealt cards. The highest hand wins the pot. The rules of the game vary slightly, but most games require each player to place an initial amount into the pot (the “ante” or “blinds”) before being dealt a hand. The number of players at the table also varies, with the more players there are the higher the stakes and the competition.

When a player has their cards they can choose to hit, stay, or fold. When a player hits, they’re saying that they want another card. When a player stays, they’re staying with their current hand. When a player folds, they discard their cards and are out of the betting for the rest of the hand.

While you’re learning, it’s important to play only with money that you’re willing to lose and not to chase your losses. It’s also a good idea to track your wins and losses in a notebook.

As you play, try to learn how to read your opponents’ tells. This is not only about subtle physical tells like scratching your nose or fiddling with your chips but also about patterns. A player who raises with every single hand you play is probably holding a very strong hand. Likewise, a player who never raises is usually playing some crappy hands. Pay attention to these little nuances and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a better player.