Poker is a card game played by two or more players and involves betting on the value of your hand. A player wins the pot if he or she has the highest-ranking hand at the end of each betting interval. The number of bets placed by each player varies according to the rules of the particular poker variant being played.

When a player has a strong hand, it is important to play it aggressively. This will make your opponent think you’re bluffing, and they will often overthink their hand and arrive at wrong conclusions. Then, you can capitalise on their mistakes and win more money.

In a poker game, each player is dealt two cards face-down (these are called hole cards). Then a dealer deals three more cards face up in the center of the table, which are called the flop. These cards are community cards, which means everyone can use them to make a final five-card hand.

Once the flop has been dealt, the final betting phase begins. Each player must place a bet equal to or higher than the previous player’s contribution to the pot. Players can also choose to pass and not place a bet at all.

The key to success in poker is learning how to read other players’ actions and body language. This includes observing physical tells, such as fiddling with their chips or a ring, but it also includes watching how they play. Beginners should pay particular attention to their opponents’ behavior, and try to learn what types of hands they are likely holding.