Poker is a card game played by two or more players with the aim of winning the pot, which is the sum of all bets made during one deal. The game requires a lot of concentration and mental focus, as well as some luck if you want to win.

To start out, you need to understand the rules of poker. To do this, you should study some charts that show what hands beat others (for example, a flush beats three of a kind, and two pair beats high card). You also need to understand the different betting rules depending on your game type.

For instance, if you play fixed-limit poker, each player must place in the pot at least the amount of money placed in it by the player before him. You can also raise your bet by saying “raise,” meaning you want to increase the total amount of money that goes into the pot. The other players will then either call your new bet or fold.

While the rules of poker are relatively straightforward, it’s important to remember that the game is a game of psychology and reading other players. You’ll often hear players talk about how to read other players’ actions, but this can be quite difficult because each situation is unique and there are many different factors to consider. Often, the best way to learn how to read other players is by playing with them and learning from their moves.