The game of poker is often thought to be a game of chance, but in reality there is a significant amount of skill and psychology involved. It is essential to understand the basic concepts of the game, such as starting hands and position, before you can start learning more advanced strategies and poker lingo.

To get into a hand you must first place an initial amount of money in the pot, known as the ante. This is an important part of the game, as it ensures that each player has a financial incentive to play their hand.

After the antes are placed the dealer deals three cards face up on the table that everyone can use, known as the flop. At this point you can decide to call, raise, or fold.

If you have a strong hand, you can raise your bet to price out other players who may be waiting for a better draw than yours. This is a key aspect of poker strategy, as it will allow you to maximise the potential of your hand and increase your chances of winning.

It is also important to mix up your bets, as this will make it more difficult for opponents to read you. This is where your reading skills come into play, which can be as simple as noticing patterns in your opponent’s betting behaviour. For example, if a player is always betting early in the hand, you can assume they have a good hand.