Poker is a card game involving betting, where players place chips (representing money) into a central pot before being dealt cards. The highest-ranking hand wins the pot. Generally, the highest standard card hands are pairs of the same suit, three-of-a-kind, straight, flush, and one-eyes (which counts as an ace). There may also be wild cards in some variants of poker.

Before the deal each player is required to make a forced bet, typically an ante or blind bet. Then, the dealer shuffles the cards and deals them to each player, starting with the player on his or her right. A numbered token, known as the button, indicates the nominal dealer and determines the order of betting for each hand.

Bets are placed into the central pot by each player in turn. A player who bets more than the previous bettor is said to raise, while a player who calls the previous bettor’s bet is said to call. Players may also check, which means that they remain in the hand without raising their bets.

Poker strategy involves observing your opponents’ behavior and reading their body language to make quick decisions. Some classic tells include a face that is flushed red, a sweaty palm, eyes watering or blinking rapidly, nostrils flaring, shaking of the head and a hand over the mouth. The best way to learn about poker strategy is to play often and watch experienced players. This will help you develop your instincts quickly and build a solid foundation for your game.