Poker is a card game where players place chips into the pot to bet on their hand. The highest hand wins the pot. Players take turns clockwise around the table revealing their hands.

It’s important to know the rank of each card. Knowing this allows you to calculate the value of your hand and compare it to those of other players.

If you have a good hand, betting can be a great way to force opponents out of the hand and raise the value of your winnings. If you have a bad hand, however, bluffing is the way to go.

In addition to understanding the rank of each card, you should also have a good idea of the value of each poker chip. For example, a white chip is worth the minimum ante, while a red chip is worth five whites. The amount of money that each player puts into the pot is usually agreed upon before the game starts.

One of the most interesting aspects of poker is observing the body language and gestures of other players to see how they play. Every player has a tell, or unconscious habit, that gives away information about their hand. These tells can be as simple as a change in posture or as complex as a face expression. Observing these tells is a great way to learn about the game and improve your own strategy.