When playing poker, players place bets into a pot (which represents money) in order to have a chance of winning a hand. This pot is awarded to the player with the highest hand at the end of a betting interval, or hand. Players must pay an ante (the amount varies by game) to be dealt cards and to participate in the hand.

Players can choose to call, raise, or fold their cards when it is their turn to act. If a player raises, they must put in at least the amount of the previous raise in chips or cash. This is called raising an all-in.

Depending on the variant of poker being played, there are several types of hands. A straight contains five cards in sequence that are the same suit, and can be either high or low (A-K-Q-J-T). A flush is made up of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, and can be either all the same or mixed suits. A pair is two cards of the same rank, and can be both all high or all low.

When the flop comes, it’s time to assess whether you have a strong hand. If not, it might be time to consider a bluff or fold your cards. Folding is an art form, and learning when to do so is a key skill to master for improving your game. Recognizing and overcoming cognitive biases like fear of missing out or the desire to prove your hand’s strength, and making well-timed folds, will improve your profitability and make you a better poker player.