Poker is a card game in which players compete to form the highest-ranking hand. This hands wins the pot, which is a collection of all bets placed by the players during the course of the betting round. The players place these bets using chips, which represent a particular dollar amount. There are a number of reasons why people use chips rather than cash, including their ease of stacking, counting, and making change. In addition, chips are a lot easier to trade.
The first round of betting begins after each player receives two cards. This is initiated by a pair of mandatory bets (called blinds) that are put into the pot by players to the left of the dealer. The rest of the players can then call, raise or fold.
When a player has a strong starting hand like a high pair or a straight, they should play it aggressively. This will force other players to fold weaker hands and increase the value of their own. Similarly, a weak starting hand can be made stronger by bluffing.
One of the most important aspects of playing poker is learning to read other players. A good way to do this is by watching experienced players and observing how they act in certain situations. This will help you develop quick instincts and make the best plays possible. It’s also a great way to learn from the mistakes of other players and exploit them.