Poker is a card game played by players against each other. It’s a game of chance, but when betting comes into play it becomes more of a game of skill and psychology. The goal is to have the highest ranked hand of five cards. To win a hand, you must bet enough money into the pot to make other players fold and leave you in the lead. The player who has the highest ranked hand when the betting is over wins the pot – all of the chips in the middle.

In the beginning of a hand, you must ‘ante’ up a certain amount (it varies by game). Once everyone has their cards, you can begin betting in turn, clockwise around the table. When it’s your turn, you can either check, call or raise. If the person before you calls, you must raise a similar amount in order to bet again. If you say ‘raise,’ the other players must either call your new bet or fold.

When deciding whether to raise or not, it’s important to consider your opponent’s range of hands. Experienced players work out their opponents’ ranges so that they can determine how likely they are to have a good hand – or not.

You must also be willing to adjust your hand ranges as you gain experience and learn more about the flow of the game. As a beginner, it’s best to start conservative and low, and gradually open up your ranges as you become more comfortable with the game.