Poker is a card game in which players place chips (representing money) into a pot after betting on a hand. Typically, each player begins the game by purchasing a specific number of poker chips. Usually, each white chip is worth the minimum ante or bet amount; red chips are valued higher, and blue chips are even higher.

When deciding whether to call a bet or raise it, you have to consider your position at the table and your opponent’s actions. A good player will try to minimize the risk of losing a big bet by playing their turn in the best possible manner.

You should always study the action at the table, paying special attention to what other players are doing with their hands. This will help you understand the game better and improve your own gameplay. However, do not only analyze the mistakes that other players make – also pay attention to their successful moves and learn from them.

Another important skill that you need to develop is being able to read the other players. This will allow you to know what they are holding and how strong their hands are. You can do this by learning their tells, such as their eye movements, idiosyncrasies, and betting behavior.

A good way to understand the range of your opponents’ hands is to practice using them. Advanced players will use the entire range of possible cards, rather than trying to put their opponents on a certain hand.