Official poker is a game of chance and skill that has been enjoyed around the world for centuries. It is a popular game for both professionals and recreational players. It can be played in clubs, bars, and casinos all over the world.

A good place to start if you’re new to poker is by visiting one of the top online poker sites. These sites offer a wide variety of games and tournaments, as well as high traffic levels, which makes it easy for beginners to compete against seasoned players.

The first thing you should do is to read the rules of the games you’re interested in playing. If you don’t understand the rules, you can ask a dealer or another player.

You should also take note of the ante and wild cards. These can be used to make winning hands more difficult or to give you more chances of winning the hand.

When the player has the most chips, they may choose to ante more than their opponent. The player who antes the most is considered to be the winner.

Most poker games are played with a standard 52-card pack, sometimes with the addition of two jokers. The dealer will deal and shuffle the deck.

There are several variants of poker, including Texas hold ’em and Omaha. These games have different rules and prize pools, but they all share a common set of goals.

If you’re new to poker, you can start by playing for free at a poker site that accepts players from your country. These sites often have sign-up and deposit bonuses that are worth hundreds of dollars. They are a great way to get started without risking much money, and they allow you to practice your skills before you play for real money.