Poker is a card game played by two or more people. Its unique combination of skill and luck that can bolster or tank the hands of even good players makes it a fascinating study of, and a window into, human nature. In fact, the game is so popular that there is a variant for every number of players from 2 to 14.

When it’s your turn to act in a hand you can say “call” or simply raise the amount of money you wish to put into the pot. Saying “I call” means you are matching the last player’s bet.

Advanced poker players know the strength of their hands and how to read other players at the table. They also work out a range of the opponent’s possible cards and work out how likely it is that their hands will beat this range. This helps them to play a much more balanced style of poker.

It is essential that you know the basic rules of poker before you start to play. It is also important to understand the different types of poker, variants and limits. When you are ready to start playing, you should only gamble with money that you are willing to lose and have a plan for when to stop. You should also track your wins and losses and try to find the patterns that will help you become a better player.