Whether you’re playing poker for fun or trying to make it a career, there are a few things you need to understand. You’ll want to learn the rules of the game and quickly study charts that tell you what hands beat other hands (like a straight beating three of a kind). You’ll also need to be able to read your opponents. This isn’t as simple as noticing subtle physical tells like fiddling with your chips but more about watching patterns. If a player has been calling all night and suddenly makes a big raise then they probably have a strong hand.

During each betting interval, all players must place the amount of chips (representing money) called for by the rules of the specific poker variant being played. This creates a pot and encourages competition. Once a player has placed his bet, the dealer shuffles and deals cards to each player, one at a time, beginning with the player on his left. The cards can be dealt either face-up or face-down.

After the first round of betting is complete, the dealer puts down three more community cards that everyone can use (the flop). Once again players get an opportunity to bet and make raises. Once all the bets are in, the players show their cards and whoever has the highest hand wins the pot. The other players will either call or fold, depending on the strength of their hands. The highest hand is a Royal Flush, which consists of a 10 of the same suit, like all clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades.