A game of poker starts with the players putting in an ante, a small amount of money into the pot before they are dealt cards. They then bet in a round and the player with the best hand wins the chips in the pot.
When you have a good hand, you want to bet as much as possible to push out weaker hands and raise the value of your pot. You can say “call” if the person to your right has raised and you wish to put in the same amount as them, or even more. You can also say “raise” if you think your hand is stronger and want to increase the amount of money in the pot.
Some people get caught up trying to put their opponent on a particular hand, but more experienced players will work out the range of hands that their opponent could have. This will help you make better decisions on the spot as you play.
If you have a weak hand, it is usually best to fold before the flop. You don’t want to keep betting money at a hand that won’t win, especially when you are facing a bet from an aggressive player. Watch experienced players to learn how they react in different situations, then try to mimic their style of play. The more you play and watch, the faster your instincts will become. This is vital for success in the game of poker.