Poker is a game of chance, but it also involves skill and psychology. While luck will always play a role, you can control how much skill you bring to the table and improve your chances of winning.

The first step is to understand the game. Learn the rules of poker and how to read a poker table. Then, work on improving your physical ability to play poker for long sessions. Finally, practice your mental game by observing experienced players and trying to anticipate how they’ll react to different situations. You’ll find that the more you practice, the faster and better you will get.

Getting to know the game will make it easier for you to communicate with other players at the table. Learn the basic terms of the game, such as “calling” and “raising.” Then, practice using these terms in different scenarios so that you’ll be able to respond quickly and confidently.

During the betting phase, you must act in accordance with your current hand. To call, you must put in the same amount that your opponent did (or more, if you think your hand is strong). To raise, you must increase the amount of money you bet by at least the same percentage as your opponents. The player with the highest hand wins the pot. If there is a tie, the dealer wins the pot. If a player busts, they must fold their cards. If they don’t, they must make up the difference of their stake and the amount bet by the next player.