The game of poker is a card game in which players make bets by raising and folding their hands. The best hand wins the pot at the end of the betting round. Players can also bet that they have a good hand, bluffing against opponents who may call their bets. A strong bluff can win a game when the weaker players call it.

The cards are dealt clockwise around the table, with one player taking on the role of dealer (and the button is passed to the next player on the left). A standard 53-card pack includes a joker which only counts as an ace if it forms a flush, a straight or certain special hands. Deuces (2s) are wild and can be used to form pairs or to break ties.

Reading your opponent’s body language and other tells is a key skill in poker. Learn to pick up on things like mood shifts, hand movements and the way they handle their chips. The more you play and watch others, the better you will get at this.

A good starting point for newcomers is to play the lowest limits possible. This allows you to practice and develop your skills without spending too much money. It also lets you avoid losing too much to more experienced players. Eventually you should move up in stakes but only when your skills have improved. The divide between break-even beginner players and big-time winners is not as large as many people think.