Poker is a card game in which players wager money against each other and place bets before seeing their cards. There are several ways to play a hand, including to fold (if you think your hand is weak), call or raise. When a player raises a previous bet, it is called a re-raise.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the game, you can become a better poker player by understanding the basics of the game and applying them at the tables. Learn about the rules, different types of poker hands and strategies for winning more often.

Beginners should stick to tight starting hands like pocket pairs, suited aces and high-ranked straights. This will allow them to make a good showdown percentage without having to risk too much money. However, they should also pay attention to their opponents’ tendencies and research pre-flop range charts so that they can memorize them with 90% accuracy.

It’s important to remember that poker is not about the cards you’re dealt, but how you play them. Although it’s disappointing to lose a hand, it’s much worse to throw a good strategy out the window and let your emotions get ahead of you. This is what many beginners do and why they lose so much money. The most successful players are always aware of how they’d react in a particular situation and act accordingly. This is what separates them from the rest of the field.