Poker is a card game where players compete to make the best five-card hand. The game has many variations, but they all share a few basic rules. Players must place an initial amount of money into the pot before they are dealt cards. This is called the ante. They may then call, raise or fold. The player with the best hand wins the round.

Whether you’re new to poker or an experienced player, it’s important to understand the basics. These foundational concepts, known as starting hands and position, set the stage for the rest of your decision-making throughout the game. Mastering these skills will help you play more confidently and increase your chances of winning.

When you’re deciding which starting hand to hold, stick with premium ones like pocket pairs and high-card combinations. These hands have a higher chance of success and are easier to play with limited experience. Then, as you gain more confidence, start experimenting with other hands. However, don’t go overboard and try to force your way into a hand that’s not ready to play. You can quickly get beaten by an opponent with a better hand.

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is playing their draws passively. When they have a strong draw, they often just call their opponents’ bets and hope that they hit their flush or straight by the river. Good players, on the other hand, are aggressive when they have a draw and use it to their advantage.

Before the dealer deals everyone their cards, players take turns betting. The first player to act raises the bet. Then everyone else can choose to call, raise more or fold. If all players fold, the player with the highest hand wins the round.

During the betting phase, players reveal their cards in sequence. If a player has the same hand as the winner, they must call the raise or fold. Otherwise, they must match the stake of the previous player in order to stay in the hand.

There are several categories of poker hands, with higher-ranking hands beating lower-ranking hands. For instance, a full house beats a straight. To have a high-ranking hand, you need three matching cards of one rank and two matching cards of another rank.

There are also some hands that don’t qualify under any category, such as a single-card straight or a pair of matching 2s. These hands are not very powerful, so you’re more likely to win with a higher-ranked hand. If you have a high-ranked hand, bet on it early to discourage weaker hands from calling your bets. In addition, it’s important to learn how to read the other players’ tells, which are subtle clues that reveal what they’re holding. For example, if a player calls frequently but then makes a big bet, they’re probably holding a strong hand. If they fold, their tell is that they have a weak hand. This can be used to your advantage if you’re bluffing.