Poker is a card game with a lot of strategy. It can also be a window into human nature. Its element of luck – which can bolster or tank even a great player’s fortunes – makes it more lifelike than most sports. To be good at poker, you need to master a number of skills.

Before the cards are dealt, players put in an initial amount of money – known as forced bets. These can take the form of antes, blinds or bring-ins.

Once everyone has placed their bets, the dealer deals the cards. A player can then either fold or call (put in the same amount as the person to his/her left).

The best hand is a royal flush, which consists of a 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of one suit. The highest ranking pair is two distinct pairs of cards, followed by three of a kind and then straight. The high card breaks ties.

To win at poker, you need to be patient and make smart decisions. It’s not easy to ignore the temptation to call every single bet in a big pot, or to stick around for that perfect 10 you need to complete your straight, or that diamond that would give you the flush. But in the long run, a disciplined and patient strategy will pay off. Learn how to read other players’ tells, such as their eyes, idiosyncrasies and betting behavior. This way, you’ll know if they’re trying to bluff.