Poker is a game of chance, but it can also be a game of skill. It’s important to understand how poker works before you can play it well. This article will teach you the basic principles of the game, including starting hands and position. By understanding these basics, you’ll be able to make better decisions and maximize your chances of winning.

Poker operates in a round-robin format. Each player makes a forced bet (the ante or blind) before the dealer shuffles and deals cards to each player in turn, beginning with the player to their left. Once all players have their two hidden cards, a betting phase begins. In the first betting phase, 3 community cards are revealed in the center of the table, which are known as the flop. Players then use these cards to create a 5-card hand.

During the betting phase, you can say “call” to match the previous player’s bet. When it’s your turn to act, you can also raise your bet by saying “raise.” If you say “call” or raise, the other players must call or raise you in order to continue the action.

A common mistake in poker is playing it safe by only calling or raising when you have the best hand. Pursuing safety will lead you to miss out on opportunities where a moderate amount of risk could yield a large reward. If your opponents realize that you only play the best hands, they will be more likely to bluff against you and take advantage of your predictable strategy.