In poker, players place chips (representing money) into a central pot at the beginning of each betting round. The object of the game is to win this pot by having the highest-ranking poker hand when all bets are called. There are many variants of the game, but most involve a fixed number of cards and a small number of rounds.

To begin the game, one or more players must place an initial contribution to the pot, known as the ante or blind bet. The dealer then shuffles the cards and deals them to the players, one at a time, in the order determined by the rules of the game being played. Each player has the option to call, raise or fold his or her cards.

It is important to understand the basics of poker, including hand rankings and the basic rules. This will help you minimize your losses with poor hands and maximize your winnings when holding strong ones.

There is a certain amount of luck in poker, but the game also requires skill and psychology. It is important to learn how to read other players and determine whether they are bluffing or telling the truth.

To increase your chances of winning, bet more often, particularly with good starting hands such as pocket aces. However, don’t over-bet. It’s better to bet conservatively and make your opponent think twice about calling a big raise when you have a strong hand. This is called “calculated aggression.”