When most people think of poker they think of a card game where players bet against each other. But this is just one of the many forms of poker. There are a ton of other variations, and each of them requires a different approach. Some of them are easy to play, and some require extensive skill and luck to win.

Before the cards are dealt, players have to place a certain amount of money into the pot. This is called the ante. The player to the left of the dealer puts in a mandatory bet, and after that, each player must decide whether to call, raise or fold.

After the flop is dealt, there’s another round of betting. If you’re holding a strong hand, bet at it. This will force weaker hands out and increase the value of your pot.

Reading other players is a huge part of poker. But tells aren’t just the subtle physical things like fiddling with your chips or scratching your nose – they also include patterns in how someone plays. For example, if an opponent who usually calls all night suddenly raises, it’s a good indication that they are holding a monster hand. This type of read is called “reading the player,” and it’s a key component in improving your poker game.