Poker is an addicting card game that requires a significant amount of mental concentration. It can be a lot of fun for casual players or professionals. Regardless of your goals, it is always good to learn as much as possible about the game. There is no better teacher than experience, but you can also find great insight by reading up on poker. There are many incredible poker resources, including books and videos from renowned professionals like Dan Harrington and Doyle Brunson.

To play poker, you must first put up a small amount of money, called an ante. After this, the dealer will deal each player 2 cards face down. Once everyone has their cards, betting begins. You can say call to make a bet equal to the last one, or raise if you think your hand is good enough. You can also fold if you don’t want to stay in the hand.

Getting to know your opponents’ body language is an important aspect of the game. Try to learn their tells, such as how they play with their fingers, or their idiosyncratic betting behavior. Knowing these little nuances can give you a huge advantage in the game. It is also important to be able to read their betting patterns, as this can indicate whether they have a good or bad hand. It is also a good idea to request tables with weaker players if you are looking to maximize your win rate.