The game of poker has become an international phenomenon, enjoyed in every country where card games are played. It’s not just for the pros anymore – people of all skill levels play poker for fun, to win money and sometimes to make a living. If you’re new to the game, the first thing you need to learn is the rules. Once you understand the basics, you can practice your strategy and improve your odds of winning.

The ante is the first amount of money that is put into the pot by each player in turn. After the ante, players can either call, raising their bet by the same amount or fold. If a player folds, they forfeit any chips that they have put into the pot until the next betting interval.

When a player calls, they must put in the same amount that was raised, or more. If the player has a higher bet than the person to their left, they can raise even more than that person. However, it is not a good idea to raise more than you can afford to lose. It is important to keep your emotions in check, and only call if you think you have the best hand.

If you’re unsure of how to play poker, try joining a local game. Most poker clubs meet weekly to play, and they’ll welcome beginners. Many clubs also offer free lessons to get players started. It’s also a great way to meet people and socialize while learning the game.

Besides the main pot, there are often side pots, and these can be won by different hands. The most common are full houses, flushes and straights. A full house is made up of three matching cards of one rank, and a flush contains five consecutive cards from the same suit. A straight is five cards in sequence, but not from the same suit. A pair is two distinct cards of the same rank, and a high card breaks ties in pairs.

A basic rule of poker is that the highest hand wins. It’s important to understand this, because many beginner players will try to hold on to their bad hands in the hopes of getting a miracle card. This is a mistake, and it’s usually better to fold the hands with the lowest odds of winning than trying to force your luck.

When you’re playing poker, it’s a good idea to take frequent breaks. This will prevent you from losing your concentration, and it’s courteous to say that you’re going to “sit out” a hand if you need a quick trip to the bathroom or to refresh your drink. It’s okay to sit out a few hands, but it’s not fair to miss too many, or you may be perceived as not caring about the game. If you’re tired, stressed or frustrated, you should probably just quit the game. This isn’t a game to play when you’re feeling off, or you’ll make poor decisions that will hurt your chances of success.