Poker is a card game played by two or more players. It is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, and the objective is to make a high-ranking five-card hand (or convince other players that you have a good hand). The game can be played in many different ways, but most games follow similar rules. The game is primarily played with chips, called “chips,” but some games are also played with cash. Generally, a player can only bet as much as the total amount of money in the pot, or “pot limit,” at any given time.
When it is your turn to act, you can call a bet by saying “call,” or raise the current betting amount by saying “raise.” You can also fold, which means to slide your cards into the dealer face-down and no longer participate in the hand.
The action in a poker hand moves around the table in a clockwise direction. If the ‘action’ comes to you first, you are in Early Position; if it is last, you are in Late Position. Poker positions have a significant effect on your betting strategy; for example, you should try to avoid calling re-raises from Early Position.
Lastly, play only with money that you are willing to lose. Especially as a beginner, it is important to play for very small stakes. This way, you can practice your skills and learn the game without risking too much money.