Poker is a game where the goal is to use the cards you are dealt to create the best five-card hand. There are many variations on the game, but all share some common features. The main thing to remember is that there is always a chance your opponent has a strong hand, and you should only call or raise bets when you have a good reason to think you are ahead.
When it is your turn to act, you can raise or call the previous player’s bet by saying “call” or “I call.” Then put the same amount of chips into the pot as the person to your left. You can also fold — or “drop” — by not placing any chips into the pot. Players must reveal their hands at the end of each betting interval, or round. If a player chooses not to reveal their hand, they are out of the round and cannot win that particular round.
Trying to guess what your opponents have is a key part of the game, and it can be easy to get wrong at first. But with practice, you will begin to notice patterns in their play. For example, if a player checks after the flop and then raises on the turn, you can assume that they have a pair of twos. This is an obvious read for a good player, but newer players often miss out on these opportunities by looking for more subtle tells or simply not paying attention to their opponents’ actions.