Poker is a game of skill and chance, and an interesting window into human nature. The element of luck can bolster or tank even a good player, but to become a force at your table requires the ability to make quick decisions and understand what’s going on around you. Watching experienced players and imagining how you’d react in their position is one of the best ways to build your instincts.

The game begins with each player putting in two bets, called the small blind and the big blind, before cards are dealt. A hand is made up of the player’s personal cards and the five community cards. The highest ranking hand wins the pot, which is the sum of all bets in the round.

A straight is 5 consecutive cards of the same rank, while a flush contains any five matching cards, regardless of their order. Three of a kind is three cards of the same rank, and pair contains two cards of the same rank with another unmatched card. The high card breaks ties.

Being able to read the other players at your table is critical, and knowing when to fold is equally important. A smart bluff can be very effective, but you don’t want to call or raise a bet when you don’t have the goods. Those who are willing to lose hands on bad beats and re-buy when they can (because of bankroll management) are more likely to win.