Poker is a game of chance involving betting. Players ante something (amount varies by game, our games are typically a nickel) and then are dealt cards. The player with the highest hand wins the pot at the end of the round. Betting is done in a clockwise fashion and players can call, raise or fold.

There are a lot of different strategies that can be used to play poker, but the most important skill for beginners is learning how to read other players. This means observing their body language, idiosyncrasies and betting patterns to spot tells. For example, a player who calls often but then suddenly makes a huge raise may be holding a monster hand.

Another essential skill for beginners is knowing how to evaluate a hand and decide whether to stay in or fold. The best way to learn this is by playing poker with experienced players and observing how they react. By doing this, you can develop quick instincts.

There are two emotions that can kill your poker game – defiance and hope. Defiance is the desire to fight against someone who has a bigger stack than you do, but this will usually only cost you money in the long run. Hope is the more dangerous emotion because it causes you to bet more than you should and hope that the flop, turn or river will improve your hand. These are both bad habits that you should avoid!