Poker is a card game that relies on luck, but also requires skill to play well. It’s about reading the other players at the table, their tells, betting behavior and a lot more. It’s a game that can be more psychologically challenging than most other games and if you don’t get the mental side of it right can quickly tank your whole session.

One of the first things to learn about poker is bankroll management. You should always only gamble with money you can afford to lose and never add more to your stack during the hand. This is especially important as you are learning the game.

Depending on the game rules, some players must place an initial amount of money into the pot before their cards are dealt. This is called the ante and it encourages competition in the hand. After the initial betting round is complete the dealer deals three cards face-up on the board that anyone can use (the flop).

Once everyone has acted it’s time for the showdown. The player with the best five-card hand wins the pot.