Poker is a card game played by two or more players. It is a game of chance and psychology, but it can also involve strategy. The object of the game is to win the pot, which is the sum of all the bets made during a hand. This can be done by making the highest-ranking hand or by bluffing. There are many variations of the game, but some basic principles apply to all of them.

To begin the game, each player is given 2 cards. There is then a round of betting, starting with the player to the left of the button. The button is a marker that moves clockwise after each hand. It indicates who will deal the next hand. Blind bets, which are mandatory bets placed into the pot before the cards are dealt, help to create an incentive for players to play.

When the flop is revealed, there is another round of betting, starting with the player to their left. Players reveal their hands in order, with the highest-valued hand winning. In some cases, the dealer may choose to reveal his or her hand. This is known as a “call.”

The cards are then reshuffled and the final betting phase begins. During this stage, players can choose to call, raise, or fold. Depending on the variant of poker, players can also place an all-in bet, which is the last chips a player has left.

As a newcomer to the game, you should start out with small-stakes cash games or micro-tournaments. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with the rules of the game and develop your playing style and instincts. Observe experienced players and study their strategies to learn from them.

Having the best starting hand is essential to your success in poker. It will set you up for success throughout the game and allow you to make more informed decisions than your opponents. It is recommended that you start out with premium hands like pocket pairs, high-card combinations, and suited connectors. These types of hands have a higher probability of succeeding and are easier to play with limited experience.

Once the flop is revealed, you have 7 cards to make your best 5-card hand. You can use any combination of your two personal cards and the five community cards to form your hand. You can then compare your hand to those of other players and decide whether to bluff or stay in the game. A strong hand generally beats a weak one, but it is possible to run a draw and still win the pot. For example, a pair of Aces beats a pair of Queens, but a straight that runs 7-8-9-10-J will lose to a 6-7-8-9-10-J. The strength of your poker hand is determined by the number and quality of your cards, along with the skill of your bluffing. It is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of different hands in poker. Keeping an eye on your opponent’s reactions is a crucial part of this process.