Poker is a card game played by two or more people. The goal is to form the best possible hand using your own two cards and the five community cards. The player with the highest-ranking poker hand wins the pot. The pot is the sum of all the bets made during a particular betting round.

You must learn the rules and hand rankings before you play. In addition, you should be familiar with the basic principles of betting and position. This will help you make better decisions at the table. It’s also important to study the plays of experienced players. You can learn from their mistakes and incorporate their successful moves into your own strategy.

In order to be a good poker player, you must be willing to sacrifice some of your own comfort and enjoyment. This is especially true when playing at home with friends. It’s also important to set limits on your money, as it is easy to lose a lot when you’re learning the game.

In addition to studying the rules and hand rankings, you must also learn how to read other players. This is called observing “tells,” and includes nervous habits like fiddling with chips or a ring, as well as body language. Watch for the way your opponents bet, as this can give away their intentions. For example, if a player who usually calls raises dramatically on the flop, he is likely holding an unbeatable hand.