Poker is a game that involves a lot of skill and psychology, although there is also an element of chance. It is considered a card game, but it has much more in common with games such as bridge and backgammon, which have rules that allow for strategic play.
The game begins with each player putting up an amount of money, called the ante. The dealer then deals each player two cards. Each player can then decide whether to fold or call the raise made by the player to his or her left. The betting continues until all players have folded or the pot has become large enough to entice people to call.
After the first round of betting is complete the dealer puts three more cards face up on the table, which can be used by anyone who still has a hand. These are known as the flop. The player with the best five-card poker hand wins.
A pair of aces or kings is a great starting hand, and should be played aggressively. This is especially important if you’re playing at a 6-max or 9-max table, where the weaker players will see you as easy pickings and will try to bully you.
You should bet on all of your hands, even the speculative ones like 7 6 or 5 5. If you play too cautiously, stronger players will see you as an easy target and will dominate your games.
