Poker is a card game in which players form a hand based on the cards they are dealt, and then compete to win the pot at the end of the hand. The pot is the sum of all bets placed by players. Some bets are forced (in the form of antes or blinds) and others are made voluntarily by players who believe that their bet has positive expected value or is a good bluff.
As a new player, you should focus on playing hands where the odds are in your favor and play aggressively to maximize your profit. However, you must be able to adjust your strategy and play style depending on the table conditions and other players.
It is important to learn how to read other players and look for their tells. These can be anything from a nervous fidget to how they handle their cards and chips. Reading other players will help you adapt your strategy based on the situation and improve your chances of winning.
Once all players have two hole cards, a round of betting begins. This is triggered by mandatory bets, called blinds, placed in the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. Players can raise, call or fold their hands. Players can also change their bet size during a hand, and must declare how much they are raising by saying “call” or a number of dollars.