How to Play Poker

Poker is a card game played by 2 or more players and involves betting between rounds. Players make bets by placing chips (representing money) into a pot during each betting round. The player with the highest poker hand wins the pot at the end of the game.

The game can be played in many different forms. Each form has one or more betting intervals, with the player whose turn it is to act first having the option of calling, raising or folding. If a player chooses to call, they must place an amount of chips into the pot that is at least equal to the bet made by the player who came before them.

Some players have tells – unconscious habits that reveal information about their hands. These are often subtle and can include anything from a quick glance at their chips to an increase in the speed of their breathing. Some of the most famous tells are a hand over the mouth to conceal a smile, flaring nostrils and shaking hands.

A good way to learn to play poker is to practice and watch experienced players. Observe how they react and imagine how you’d react in their position to develop your instincts. The more you practice, the faster and better your instincts will become. It is also a good idea to keep records and pay taxes on your gambling income so that you don’t run into legal trouble.