Poker is a card game played by two or more players. There are a variety of poker games, but they all have the same object – to win the pot, which is the sum total of bets placed by all players in any one deal. There are a number of ways to win the pot, including having the highest-ranking hand or by betting so much that no other player calls your bet.

The first step in playing Poker well is learning how to read your opponents. This includes observing their body language, betting patterns and idiosyncrasies. It is also important to understand what type of hands they are likely to have. Rather than trying to put your opponent on a specific hand, more experienced players try to work out the range of hands they could have.

Another crucial aspect of poker is dealing. This can be difficult, especially at a beginner level, but it is essential to learn as soon as possible. By practicing dealing throughout the course of a hand, you will become faster and more efficient at the job.

When it’s your turn to deal, you can say “I open” if no one has opened betting and you want to raise the ante. You can also say “call” if you want to match the bet of the person before you, or “raise” to add more money to the pot. Then, the players in turn will choose to call your new bet or fold.