A card game played by two or more players, poker is a mix of skill, chance and psychology. The game is a little more complex than some might expect, though, especially when betting comes into play.

If you want to be a good player, it’s essential to learn the game’s rules and to study your opponents. Observe their actions and try to guess what hand they might be holding before they make a bet. This is called reading tells and it’s a critical part of a winning strategy.

You should always start with a full supply of chips. Usually, white chips are worth the minimum ante or bet; red chips are worth five whites; and blue ones are worth 10, 20 or 25 whites. You should also know the rank of each suit; a spade is higher than a diamond, for example.

It’s important to practice and watch experienced players to develop quick instincts. This way, you can be a good and successful player.

When playing poker, it’s a good idea to shuffle and cut the deck several times before dealing. Once you’ve done this, each player receives one card and the person with the highest ranking card starts the betting. In case of a tie, the suits are used to determine which player gets the button (dealing position). You can pass the button after each hand. Typically, one player deals and then raises the bet. This allows all players to act in turn and increases the chances of a good hand.