Poker is a card game that is played by two or more players. Each player places an amount of money into the pot before the cards are dealt. This money is known as the ante, blind, or bring-in. Players then take turns betting. After the betting phase, players reveal their hands and the player with the highest hand wins the round.

There is a lot of luck involved in poker, but the best players will win over time because they make the right decisions based on probability and game theory. To be successful, you must learn how to find optimal frequencies and hand ranges for your plays – this is called a poker strategy.

During the betting phase, you can bet by saying “call” or “I call.” This means you want to place a bet that matches the last person’s bet. You can also say “raise” to raise the stakes and add more money to the pot.

When playing your strong value hands, don’t be afraid to be aggressive. Your opponents will be more likely to fold when you make big bets, and this will help you to increase your winnings. Conservative players are easily bluffed and can often be taken advantage of by more experienced players.

When deciding which hands to play, it’s important to remember that the flop can change your trashy hand into something much better. Many new players are timid about playing trashy hands, but this is a mistake. Bluffing can be a powerful strategy in poker and it’s important to learn how to do it properly.