Poker is a card game in which players place bets (often in the form of chips) into a pot during a round of betting. The object is to win the pot by having the highest-ranking poker hand at the end of a deal. There are many different forms of poker, some of which can be played with 2 players, while others require more than 14.

Unlike most card games, poker is not a game of luck but rather a game of skill. It is important to learn the rules of poker and practice often. It is also a good idea to play against a variety of opponents in order to improve your skills. A good way to do this is by playing online against players from all over the world.

A good way to begin learning poker is by playing very small games. This will allow you to keep your bankroll safe until you are strong enough to play bigger games. It is also a good idea to find a mentor or coach who can help you with your game. This will ensure that you are getting the most out of your practice time and that you are improving at a steady rate.

Once you have mastered the basic rules of poker you should start to understand how to read the board and what other players may have in their hands. For example, if a player bets after seeing a board with A-2-6 and you have pocket kings it could be a sign that they are holding a very strong hand.