Poker is a game of chance, but it also requires a fair amount of skill and psychology. The best way to learn the game is to play with experienced players and observe their strategies. This will allow you to develop your own instincts and improve your chances of winning.

The cards are shuffled and cut before the first player deals them out one at a time. Then there is a round of betting. If someone has a good hand they will raise the bets to increase their chances of winning. If they don’t have a good hand they will fold their cards and not continue to raise bets.

It’s important to pay attention to other players’ body language and read their tells. This is a key aspect of the game and can make or break your winning chances. Tells can include anything from shallow breathing, sighing, flaring nostrils or sweating to blinking excessively. They can even be as simple as shaking hands or looking at their chips.

When it is your turn to bet, you can say “call” to match the last person’s bet or raise it. If you raise it, the other players must either call your new bet or fold their cards. If they don’t, you can win the pot and continue to raise it.