Poker is a card game of strategy, chance and mental toughness. It can also be an intensely social experience. While the rules of poker vary from one game to another, there are a few common principles that help players win. These include forming the highest-ranking poker hand, making everyone else fold, and knowing the rules of betting.

In each betting round, or interval, a player puts chips into the pot that their opponents must match (or “call”). Then they can say “raise” to add more chips to the pot than their opponent did. If a player cannot raise enough, they must “drop” (“fold”) their cards and forfeit the game.

The first step in becoming a good poker player is learning the rules of poker. Then, when you play poker with friends, it is important to maintain composure and respect the hours you have put into your study. It’s very easy to lose your composure and make rash decisions in the heat of the moment, which can cost you a lot of money.

It’s also helpful to practice your poker skills at home, where you can control the stakes and learn from your mistakes in a safe environment. Try playing poker with a group of friends or find someone in your neighborhood who hosts poker games at their home and ask for an invitation to join. It’s a great way to get started with the game. Also, if you haven’t already done so, purchase poker chips and learn how to count them. This will ingrain poker math into your brain and improve your intuition for things like frequencies and EV estimation.