Poker is a card game played by two or more players. It involves betting between rounds, and it requires a high level of skill to make informed decisions throughout the game. The first step to becoming a successful poker player is understanding the game’s basics, including starting hands and position. This will set the stage for decision-making throughout the hand and improve your chances of success.

The game’s basic rules are easy to learn, and there are many ways to practice and refine your skills. A good place to start is by playing low-stakes cash games or micro-tournaments. This will allow you to practice the game without risking your entire bankroll. Moreover, you can adjust your stakes according to your abilities and financial situation.

Each round of betting begins when the player to your left puts out a bet. You can choose to call that bet by putting the same number of chips into the pot, raise your bet by adding more than the amount raised by the previous player, or fold.

The highest-ranking hand is a royal flush, which consists of a 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit. The second-highest-ranking hand is a straight flush, which consists of 5 consecutive cards in the same suit. Three of a kind is made up of 3 cards of the same rank, and two pair is made up of 2 matching cards, plus one unmatched card. In order to win the pot, you must have a better hand than your opponent.