Poker is a card game in which players place bets into a pot. The highest hand wins the pot. Players must “ante” a small amount (the amount varies by game) to get cards, and then they make bets in order of position around the table. Each player has a hole card and a face-up card, and players may bet into the pot in each betting round. The first bettor is the player closest to the button (dealer), and betting passes clockwise until someone folds.

There are a number of different hands you can make in poker, but the best hand is a royal flush, which includes a King, Queen, Jack, and ten of the same suit. Four of a kind is the next best hand, which consists of four cards of the same rank. Straights, flushes, and full houses all have higher ranks than two pairs and high cards break ties.

To become a good poker player, you need to develop quick instincts, and practice to build your skills. The more you play and watch other experienced players, the faster you’ll develop. Observe how the players you play against react to each situation and try to emulate their strategies. Watching others also helps you learn to understand game theory, which is key to winning money in poker.