Poker is a card game played between two or more people. Players place chips (representing money) into a pot and then play cards to create the best five-card hand possible. The player with the highest hand wins. The game has many variations, but the basics are similar across all of them.

When learning how to play poker, it is important to start at a low stakes level and slowly work your way up. This minimizes financial risk and allows you to experiment with different strategies without the pressure of placing large bets. It also gives you the opportunity to analyze your decisions and identify areas for improvement. Whether using hand history tracking software or simply taking notes, it is critical to continuously assess your performance and learn from your mistakes.

One of the most important aspects of learning how to play poker is understanding how to read other players. This can be done through subtle physical poker tells, but is most often learned through patterns in betting behavior. For example, if a player consistently calls the last raise then it is likely that they are playing a strong hand.

It is also helpful to distinguish between conservative and aggressive players. Conservative players tend to fold early, while aggressive ones are more prone to raising their bets. This can help you determine how to bluff against each type of player. You should also learn about the various categories of poker hands, including a full house, flush, and straight. A full house includes 3 matching cards of the same rank, while a flush includes 5 cards of consecutive rank and suit.