Poker is a game that requires patience and good decision making. It can also be an excellent way to train your mind to process information quickly and think on your feet. This is a skill that can translate into other areas of your life, and is often more important than the cards you are dealt.
The game starts with all players putting in money into the pot (the amount of this is called the ante, blinds or bring-ins). Once everyone has their chips you have to make a bet in order to continue playing. The highest hand wins the pot.
There is quite a bit of skill involved in poker when betting is introduced, and this involves a combination of probability, psychology and game theory. Unlike blackjack where the outcome of any given hand relies mostly on chance, when betting is involved the odds become significantly higher for one player over another.
Learning to read your opponent is key. A big part of this is looking beyond their actual cards and thinking about what other cards they might have in their hand, or what kind of bluff they might be trying to run. It is also crucial to learn how to read the body language of your opponents, and to understand their intentions. This can help you decide whether to call or raise a bet, and to make other moves accordingly. For example, if you see someone take a long time to decide whether to fold, this is often a sign that they have a weak hand and are trying to avoid calling a raise.