How to Play Poker

Poker is a card game that can be played by two or more players. It is a game of chance, but it can also involve skill. The goal of the game is to win a pot, which is the sum of all bets made during a single deal. This can be done by either getting a good hand or by making your opponents call a bet that you raise.

The first step is to learn the rules of poker. You can find a lot of information on the internet about poker, but you should also try to read books by professional players. This will help you to get a feel for the gameplay of professionals and how they make decisions.

Once you understand the basic rules, you should start playing the game for real money. This is a very mentally intensive game, and you will perform best when you are happy and relaxed. If you start to feel anger, frustration or fatigue while playing poker, you should stop playing and take a break.

In the beginning, it is a good idea to play fewer hands and be more selective with your bets. This will allow you to build up a bankroll quickly and to avoid losing large amounts of money on bad hands. As you become more experienced, you can begin to play a wider range of hands and be more aggressive. However, you should always keep in mind that your opponent’s range will be weighted toward hands with no showdown value.