Poker is a card game played by a group of people around a table. It is one of the most popular games in the world, and it has been around since ancient times.

The rules of Poker are quite simple, and the goal is to make the best poker hand possible. This means betting aggressively when you think you have a strong hand, and folding if you don’t.

Once the cards are dealt, each player receives three face-up cards and one face-down card. The player with the lowest hand starts the game, and play continues clockwise until everyone has had a chance to bet or fold.

After the initial deal, there are a series of betting rounds, each followed by a showdown in which all players’ hole cards are shown. The player with the best five-card poker hand wins the pot.

When you are new to poker, there are a few things you should avoid doing. These include hiding your chips, counting them or moving them closer to the middle, and trying to see another player’s hole cards.

These moves are considered bad etiquette and they can hurt your chances of winning a hand. They can also be distracting and annoying for your opponent, who may be trying to figure out what kind of hand you have.

The best thing you can do is learn how to read other players’ tells – eye movements, idiosyncrasies, hand gestures, and betting behavior. Once you have this down, you’ll be able to make better decisions in the poker game.