Poker is a card game played with chips in which the aim is to form the highest-ranking hand to win the pot, which is the total of all bets made by players during a hand. The main skill in poker is knowing when to call, raise or fold based on the strength of your hand. The rest is strategy, and many players develop their own unique strategies through self-examination or by talking about hands with other players for a more objective perspective.
The first round of betting starts once each player has two cards, known as their hole cards. There are two mandatory bets called blinds put up by the players to the left of the dealer, and there is a round of betting after this.
After the flop, there is another round of betting where each player can bet on the strength of their hand. Then a third card is dealt, which is known as the turn. This is when you start putting pressure on your opponents to make them think that you have a strong hand, and potentially forcing them to fold their hands by raising.
One of the most important things to remember is that you should always be looking beyond your own cards and thinking about what cards your opponents might have, so you can make moves based on what they are likely doing. You can also practice by observing experienced players to see how they react to situations, and try to emulate these responses for yourself to develop your own instincts.