How to Play Poker

Poker is a card game in which players compete to form the best possible hand based on the rank of their cards, and then to win the pot (sum total of bets) at the end of each betting round. It is a game of chance, but skill can help overcome luck in the long run. Players can also try to win by bluffing, which requires them to evaluate the probability of their opponent having a better hand than they do.

The game is played around a table, which has a dedicated dealer who does the shuffling and acts as the button (last position before the deal). The player to the left of the button must post (pay) the small blind and the player to his or her right must post the big blind. The button moves one position clockwise after each hand.

When you have a good starting hand, it is generally worth raising to price all the worse hands out of the pot. It is common for inexperienced or losing players to limp, which makes them look weak and causes them to be pushed around by stronger players.

Keeping a file of poker hands is a good way to study the game, and improve your understanding of your opponents’ ranges. You can either use your own files, or a poker website that offers free poker hands. If you want to play poker professionally, you will need a lot of practice and patience.