Poker is a card game that requires skill, psychology, and a lot of observation. It is also a game that teaches you to be patient and think about your decisions long-term, which are skills that will benefit you in all walks of life.

When a hand is dealt, each player will have the option to call, raise, or fold. Saying “call” means you want to bet the same amount as the person in front of you, like $10. Saying “raise” means you want to increase the amount of money that you’re betting by up to $10 or more, like $20. Saying “fold” means you don’t want to play this hand and wish to fold your cards.

You will also need to be able to read your opponents, including their body language. This is known as reading tells and can be very useful in determining whether or not your opponent is bluffing, and what type of hand they might be holding. You should learn to watch for things like fiddling with their chips, a hat, or a ring. You’ll also need to pay attention to their playing style and how they bluff, and take note of the times that they make large bets, versus when they call small bets.

It’s also important to play in position as much as possible, especially in early positions. This gives you more information about your opponents’ hands and allows you to pick up more pots with strong hands.