Poker is a card game that requires skill and strategy to win. There are a number of different variations of the game, each with its own unique rules. Regardless of the variant played, there are some common elements that all poker games share.

One of the most important aspects of poker is learning to read the other players at the table. This is called reading tells, and it can give you a huge advantage over your opponents. A good read will let you know whether the other player has a strong hand or just a bluff. Observing the play of other experienced players can also help you learn how to make better decisions.

Another crucial element of poker is knowing when to fold. It’s tempting to continue playing when you have a weak hand, but doing so will bleed you out and leave you vulnerable to stronger hands. Also, if you keep folding your chances of making a good hand will decrease over time.

Lastly, you should always remember to stick to the “one player per hand” rule. This means that if the person to your left has not raised or folded and it is your turn, you should call to place your chips in the pot.

Saying “call” means that you will bet the same amount as the last player. For example, if the player to your left raises $10, then you would say “I call” and place $10 in chips or cash into the pot.