Poker is a betting card game that requires the ability to read opponents and predict odds. It is a great game for beginners, because you can play it for very low stakes. Beginners should start at the lowest limits to avoid losing too much money. In addition, starting at the lowest levels allows players to play versus weaker opponents, which helps improve their skills.
In poker, each player must put up a certain amount of money into the pot before being dealt in. This is called the ante or blind bet. Once this bet has been placed, the dealer shuffles and deals cards to each player. Each player can then choose to call, raise, or fold. If you raise, you are adding more than the player before you to the bet and will take the remaining cards in your hand. If you fold, you will not place any chips in the pot and will not play until the next deal.
When a player calls, they must place into the pot a number of chips equal to the amount bet by the player before them. This is also known as calling the bet. If you think your hand is strong enough to make it to the flop, you should say call.
It is important to learn about tells, which are nervous habits that other players display. For example, if a player has a fidgeting habit or a ring on their finger, it is likely that they are holding a good hand.