In poker, players compete to form a winning hand based on card rankings and claim the pot at the end of each betting round. The size of the pot depends on how much each player contributes to the pot and how many hands are involved in a showdown. A player can fold, check (no bet), call (match a previous player’s bet), or raise (bet a higher amount than a previous player).

To increase your chances of winning the pot, try to limit the number of players you play against. This will reduce the likelihood that someone who doesn’t belong in the hand makes a lucky flop and beats you with a weaker one. This is especially important in late position, where the last player to act may be able to see a flop for cheap with a mediocre hand.

Learn how to read other players by watching for tells. These tells are subtle signs that a player is holding an unbeatable hand, like fiddling with their chips or putting on a poker face. Also, pay attention to the way other players play—if they raise before you, they are probably holding a strong hand. This knowledge will help you make smarter decisions during the game.