Poker is a card game played with chips. Each player buys in for a fixed amount. There are usually a few hundred chips in play – the lowest-valued white chip is worth one unit, red chips are worth five units, and blue chips are worth ten units.
The goal of the game is to make the best hand with your cards and beat the other players. There are a number of different ways to do this, but all involve making decisions that require skill and a certain amount of luck. You have to be able to read your opponents, determine the strength of their hands and fold when necessary. In addition, you have to be able to control your emotions and not throw your money away with weak hands.
The first step in learning to play poker is studying the strategy and reading books on the subject. Then you need to practice, and most importantly watch. By observing experienced players, you can see how they react to certain situations and build your own instincts. You should also keep a journal while you are observing and try to figure out what makes a winning player so successful.