Poker is a card game in which players bet with chips representing money. The object is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets made during one deal. The player who has the highest-ranking hand at the end of a deal wins the pot. If no one has a high-ranking hand, the player who raised the most bets in the preflop phase wins the pot.
The dealer deals two cards to each player and, if no one has blackjack, betting begins. Each player then decides whether to hit, stay, or double up (i.e., ask the dealer to give them another card). The player who says hit or stay must put in a mandatory bet equal to the amount of the bet that the person before him or her placed in the pot.
A strong hand, such as a pair of aces or pocket kings, should be bet aggressively on the flop and in preflop. This will help you to take the lead and establish your dominance at the table.
A common mistake by new players is to call when they should be raising. However, this can quickly eat into your bankroll, especially when you’re at a low limit table. To avoid this, you should learn to read your opponents’ tells (eye movements, idiosyncrasies, betting behavior etc.). For example, if an opponent calls your bet and then raises massively, it may indicate that they have a good hand.