Poker is a card game played by two or more people. The game involves betting and raising, and the object is to win the pot, or the sum of all bets placed during a deal. It’s an exciting, challenging, and sometimes even demoralizing game, but it’s also deeply satisfying. The element of chance — good or bad — makes it more realistic than most sports, and the skill required to be a winning player is both humbling and rewarding.

One of the most important skills to learn in poker is how to read your opponents. Whether it’s their betting pattern or how they hold the cards, reading non-verbal tells is crucial to your success at the table. The ability to read body language will allow you to determine if it’s worth calling or raising a hand preflop. It’s also essential to know when to fold, especially if you have a weak hand that will lose to a strong one on later streets.

In addition to knowing how to read your opponents, it’s vital to understand poker terminology. Some terms will be specific to your particular poker variant, while others will be universal. To start, you’ll need to understand the ante – the small amount of money that everyone puts up before getting their hands – and how to fold. You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with the rules of poker, such as what hands beat what and how to play each type of hand.