Poker is a game that requires the player to make decisions under uncertainty. It teaches players to be patient, and the strategic thinking skills that are needed can have a positive impact on other areas of life.

The game of poker involves betting with chips and dealing cards – each player gets two cards and the community cards – to try to make a five card “hand” by combining these with one another and the community cards. The highest hand wins the pot (the amount of money that has been bet so far).

There is a lot of learning to do before playing poker, and it can be difficult to find a good place to start. There are a number of different books, courses and online resources that can help you get started. It’s also important to learn the jargon and terminology associated with the game, including the dealer, buttons, small and big blinds, antes, flops, turns and rivers.

Once you have a handle on the basics of the game, it’s time to start learning more about strategy. You can read books and articles that focus on particular strategies, or you can simply observe experienced players and think about how you would react in similar situations.

Good poker players are able to be disciplined and resist making impulsive decisions that could cost them later. They know that they will make mistakes and lose sometimes, but they don’t throw a fit or chase their losses. This level of resilience has benefits outside of the world of poker, too.