Poker is a card game where players bet into a pot in the middle of the table. The highest hand wins the pot. Players begin the hand by anteing something (varies by game, our games are typically a nickel). After everyone is dealt 2 cards there is a round of betting where players can call, raise or fold.

You want to try and limit your calls to hands that you believe are strong. This will keep you from throwing good money after bad. It is also a good idea to learn how to read other players, and look for tells. This can be done by studying their idiosyncrasies, body language, eye movements and betting behavior. This will allow you to make better decisions on whether they are holding a strong hand or just bluffing.

Another important tip is to always play the player and not the cards. This is because poker is a relative game. What you think is a great hand could be nothing compared to what the person next to you has.

Always be careful not to get caught up in the emotions of the game. Regardless of your skill level, poker is a mentally intensive game and you should never play it when you are angry or upset. This is often referred to as playing on tilt and will result in poor decision making which will lead to losses. If you start to feel this happening, it is usually best to just walk away and come back later when you are ready to give it your all.