Poker is a card game in which players make bets on the strength of their hands and the chances of their opponents holding better hands. The rules of the game vary between different variants, but in all games the players must ante some money (the amount varies by game) before they can be dealt cards. After that they can bet or fold their hands, the winner being the player with the highest hand.
To get good at poker, you need to develop quick instincts and learn the game’s strategy. This can be done by playing the game as much as possible and watching experienced players play to understand how they react in different situations. The more you practice and observe, the quicker and better your instincts will be.
When betting is called, the player must place chips in the pot that represent their share of the total amount of bets made. Then they can either call the amount of the previous bet or raise it by adding more chips. When a player raises the value of their chips in this way, they may also drop out of any side pots that result from their actions and their original share of the total amount of the bets will go to the player who raised them.
You should always try to bet aggressively when you have premium opening hands such as pocket kings or aces. This is the only way to maximise your winnings and ensure that you aren’t beaten by bad luck.