Poker is a game of cards in which players wager money to win a pot. The game has many variations, but the basic principles are the same. There are two ways to win a pot: by having the highest-ranking hand or by betting aggressively. In the latter case, other players will think twice about going head-to-head against you and will fold if they don’t think you’re bluffing.

If you’re new to poker, start at the lowest limits available. This will allow you to play against weaker players and learn the game before moving up the stakes. Additionally, beginners should avoid playing for more than a couple of hands at a time. This will allow them to save their chips and avoid losing too much money early on.

One of the best pieces of advice that most pro players give is to always play a strong hand. This is an easy concept to understand, but it’s often difficult to implement. A strong hand is a pair of aces, kings, queens, or jacks. It also includes a high-suited card like a flush or straight.

When it’s your turn, you must place a number of chips (representing money) in the pot that is equal to or greater than the amount placed in the pot by the player before you. This is called making a bet and can either include the entire amount of your stack or just part of it.

It’s important to be able to read other players. This includes knowing their tells (eye movements, idiosyncrasies, and betting behavior). For example, if you see someone who usually calls and then suddenly makes a big raise, they could be holding a monster hand.

Once the initial round of betting is complete, the dealer puts three additional cards on the table that anyone can use, which is known as the flop. This begins the second round of betting and can include raising, calling, or folding.

A good tip is to play the player, not the cards. This means that even if your hand is great, it’s not guaranteed to win. Your opponents’ hands are equally as good, and they may be better than yours.

A common mistake made by new poker players is to assume that they must play every hand. This is a huge mistake. While it’s true that you should only play strong hands, it’s also important to know when to fold. Many books written by pro players tell you to never fold before the flop, but this isn’t realistic in most cases. Unless you have a high pair or a high-suited card, it’s usually not worth it to put your money in. It’s also ok to sit out of a hand if you need to go to the bathroom or get another drink. However, you should only do this a few times at most or else it can be unfair to the rest of the table. Moreover, it’s polite to announce that you’re sitting out a hand so other players don’t think you’re hiding something.