Poker is a card game that requires strategy and skill to win. Learn to bet only with money you can afford to lose.

There are many different forms of poker, but they all have similar basic rules. In most versions, players receive two cards and may decide to fold, check, or raise. When a round ends, all bets are gathered into the pot, and whoever has the best hand wins the whole pot.

The game begins with each player placing an ante, usually a small bet. The dealer deals cards, one at a time, to the players, starting with the player to their left.

After the initial deal, players take turns betting in each betting interval until all the cards have been dealt. The first bet may be folded, checked or raised, and this is called a “raised-to.”

If a player’s bet exceeds their ante amount, they must pay an additional bet to bring their stakes to the same amount as the previous player’s. The last bet in any round is the final bet and is also the largest.

Having strong value hands is a key aspect of winning poker. However, it can be difficult to play your strong hands effectively.

You can improve your skills by learning to read other players’ tells. It’s also important to develop your mental toughness. Watch videos on YouTube of Phil Ivey taking a bad beat, for example, and notice how he doesn’t get upset or show remorse.