Poker is a game of cards that requires strategy and good luck. It has many variations, but all of them involve being dealt cards and betting over a series of rounds until there is a showdown where the player with the highest five-card hand wins the pot of money.

As a beginner, you’ll want to avoid bluffing until you’ve improved your relative hand strength. You’ll be better off spending your time learning the game by observing experienced players and putting yourself in their shoes to develop quick instincts.

Another thing you’ll want to practice is reading your opponents. This includes studying their tells such as their eye movements, idiosyncrasies, betting behavior, and more. By paying attention to the other players at the table, you can get a sense for how strong or weak their hands are and bet accordingly.

Once the first betting round is over, the dealer will deal three additional cards that everyone can use on the table. This is called the flop. Then, there will be a second betting round where players can raise their bets or fold.

If you have a strong hand and your opponent is raising bets, consider increasing the amount of money that you’re putting in the pot. This will help you force weaker hands out of the pot and increase the value of your own hand. It’s also important to know when to fold. Continuing to call every street will cost you money in the long run as your opponents are more likely to catch a good card on later streets.