Poker is a game of chance, but it also relies on skill. It’s a game where knowing your opponents’ tells (or non-verbal cues) is important. It’s also about analyzing the situation and changing your strategy as the action unfolds.

When a new player joins the table they must buy in with a certain number of chips. Each chip has a specific value. A white chip is worth the minimum ante, and red chips are usually worth 10 or 20 whites. A player can raise or fold their hand at any time, but once they do they must place the rest of their chips into the pot.

After everyone has their 2 hole cards the dealer deals two more cards face up on the table called the flop. A betting round then starts again with the player to the left of the dealer.

Once the betting is over the dealer then places one more card on the table that anyone can use called the turn. There is another round of betting and then the showdown with the best poker hand happens.

When you start playing poker it is important to play low limits. This will help you learn the game without spending a lot of money, and it’s better to lose a little at the beginning than donate your hard-earned cash to players who are much more skilled than you. Besides, starting at the lowest stakes will help you develop your skills much faster than if you played against better players.