Poker is a card game that involves betting and raising in turn. It’s a great social game that can be played with friends or strangers. The aim is to make a high-ranking hand of five cards. This can be a straight, flush or three of a kind. The highest hand wins the pot. It’s important to understand the different types, variants and limits of the game before you can start playing.

There are some rules that are universal to all games of poker. These include:

A player buys in by placing a small amount of chips into the pot before they receive their cards. This is called putting in the “ante.”

If you’re a beginner, you should always start off with low limits to avoid making big mistakes and losing too much money. This will help you build confidence and improve your game.

You should also learn the basic betting terms. This includes knowing what hands beat what and how to break ties. For example, a flush is worth more than two pairs because it has five distinct cards.

It’s also good to know how to manage the amount of money you have in the pot. Don’t hide your bets or try to confuse other players with your betting strategy. It’s also courteous to ask a more experienced player for help if you don’t know how to do something. It’s also a good idea to stay at the table for the entire hand unless you have to leave early. This will keep the pot from shrinking too quickly and prevent other players from folding their cards.