Poker is a card game in which players place chips (representing money) into the pot when it’s their turn. The player who holds the highest-ranking hand at the end of the betting round wins the pot.

While poker can seem complicated and intimidating, it’s easy to pick up the basics by following a few simple tips. The first step is to understand what poker hands are worth playing. This will help you decide how much to bet when holding a strong hand, as well as when to fold a weak one.

It’s important to always be aware of what the other players at the table are holding. The best way to do this is by reading their behavior. A player who doesn’t check often probably has a good hand, while a player who bets regularly may be trying to disguise the strength of theirs.

Another tip is to avoid “limping” – placing only a minimum bet when it’s your turn. Unless your hand is very strong, it’s usually better to raise instead of limping. This will price out all the other worse hands and increase your chances of winning.

Many players who begin playing poker struggle to break even or make only small gains. The difference between them and those who consistently win has a lot to do with developing a cold, mathematical, and logical approach to the game. This is a process that takes time, but it will pay off in the long run.