Poker is a card game that involves betting and making a hand. The highest ranked hand wins the pot. Players must always bet at least the minimum amount required by the game rules (usually a white chip for a minimum ante or a red chip for a bet). Players should only gamble with money that they can afford to lose. If you are learning to play poker, it is a good idea to track your wins and losses so that you can figure out whether you are winning or losing in the long run.

As a beginner it is generally recommended to stick with premium hands such as pocket pairs, high-card combinations and suited connectors because these are hands that have a higher probability of success. However, even with premium hands beginners should also pay attention to their starting hands and position as this will set the stage for their decision-making throughout the hand.

In order to create a pot and encourage competition before the cards are dealt each player must place an initial amount of chips into the pot before they see their hand. These are called antes, blinds or bring-ins.

After the flop is dealt everyone gets the chance to call, raise or fold. Then the dealer puts a fifth card on the table, which is called the river. If any player has a better rank than the dealer then they win the pot. If no one has a better rank then the pot is split between the players.