Poker is a card game where luck and skill both play an important role. A good poker player will know how to minimize the effects of luck and maximize the effect of his skills.

The game begins with players putting in an amount (the specifics vary by poker variant) called either the blind or the ante. After the ante or blind is in place, players are dealt cards, which they keep hidden from their opponents. Players then place bets into a pot at the end of each betting interval, and the highest hand wins the pot.

When betting comes around to you, you may say “call” to match the last player’s bet or raise it. You can also fold if you don’t want to bet anymore or don’t have a strong enough hand to continue to the next street.

As a general rule, you should call or raise when in position and check when out of position. This will allow you to play a wider range of hands because you will be able to control the size of the pot more effectively. It will also help you avoid getting into a hand with an opponent who is more likely to bet aggressively when they’re out of position. For this reason, it’s a good idea to study poker strategy books written by winning players in your particular poker game. It will give you a more complete understanding of the game and the strategies used to win at it.