Poker is a card game in which players bet on the strength of their cards. A strong hand may win the pot, or it can be bluffed to force other players into betting their money. It is important to learn the rules of the game and to understand how to read the other players in order to predict what they might do. You can do this by watching their eye movements, idiosyncrasies, and other betting behavior. For instance, if a player rarely calls and then suddenly raises a lot of money, this is a tell that they might be holding a good hand.

Before the cards are dealt, one or more players must make forced bets, usually an ante and a blind. After the antes and blind have been placed, the dealer shuffles the deck, cuts, and deals each player one card face up. Then the first of what may be several betting intervals begins.

To play Poker, you must have quick instincts to know when to call or raise. The best way to develop these instincts is to practice and observe experienced players. Watch how they act in various situations and imagine yourself in their position to see if you would react the same way. This will help you build your comfort level with risk-taking and learn how to manage it. You can also build confidence by practicing in lower-stakes games before moving up to higher stakes. By doing this, you’ll have more time to reflect and analyze your moves and the other players’ actions.