There are several different ways to win a game of poker. The highest winning hand is a “full house” which consists of at least two cards matching the suit of the player. Those with a second pair of cards or a higher card win ties. However, you can also win with a straight or a better than a pair hand. If you have all five cards in one hand, the high card will break the tie.

You don’t want to lose big pots if you have a mediocre hand. This can make you reckless or impatient and can cost you the game. It’s better to play conservatively and avoid making rash decisions. If you’re not sure about a particular hand, ask your dealer for assistance. You may be surprised at the number of times they’ll do this for you. If you’re good at poker, you’ll get better at it over time.

A basic rule in poker is that bluffing will win you the game. If you think you have a better hand than your opponent, you can always call or check. Likewise, you can fold your hand if you don’t have any cards. But you shouldn’t keep betting money if you don’t have a good hand. Always bet when you have a strong hand to force weaker hands out of the pot.