Poker is a game of chance, but if you have the right mindset and learn how to play it correctly, you can become a force at your table. The game requires patience and the ability to read players, but it’s a great way to have some fun while making friends.

Before a hand begins, players will place an initial amount of money into the pot, which is known as placing an ante or a blind. Once this step is completed, the cards are dealt to each player and a betting round begins. The winner or winners of the hand will receive the total amount of bets placed by players, called the “pot.”

The key to winning poker is knowing when to fold a bad hand and playing strong value hands. It’s important to avoid defiance and hope, as these emotions can lead you to bet money at a time when you should be folding. It’s also important to know how to play your strong hands by raising and bluffing often, so you can price out weaker hands from the pot.

When you’re in a strong position, you should raise to inflate the size of the pot when you have a good hand. However, you can also be passive and call if your opponent has a weak hand. To control the pot size, you should use your knowledge of opponent ranges to work out how likely it is that your opponent has a better hand than yours.