Poker is a card game where players compete to make the best hand. It is a game of skill and strategy, but luck plays a part as well.

To start a poker session, a small bet called the “ante” is placed by every player. After this, the dealer deals two cards to each player, keeping them secret from the other players.

After each betting round, players may choose to fold their hand, check, or raise the amount of their bet. If a player folds, they lose their ante and no longer compete for the pot.

The highest-ranking standard poker hand is five of a kind, which beats any straight flush. Ace-King and Queen-Jack are the next best hands.

It’s important to avoid tables with strong players – they’re likely to bluff more and play aggressively. Rather, focus on the weak areas of their games and concentrate your attention elsewhere to make more money.

One of the first things to learn about poker is how to read your opponents’ cards. This is a crucial skill because it’s the basis of all winning poker strategy.

In order to read your opponents’ cards, you need to pay attention to their face expressions and movements. They’ll hide their emotions really well, but you need to watch them carefully to see if they’re reacting to something. You’ll also need to understand what they mean when they say certain words. This will help you determine what their thinking is and how you should respond.