Poker is a card game where players try to form the best possible hand based on the rank of the cards. The player who has the highest ranking hand wins the pot. Players put chips (representing money) into the pot in intervals governed by the rules of the particular poker variant being played.

Each player must ante an initial amount before being dealt cards. This is called a forced bet and is meant to encourage competition. Each player must also place a blind bet before betting again. A player who does not make a bet or raise his/her own blind bet is called a passive player.

In order to win the pot, a player must have a high-ranking hand at the end of each betting interval. This is determined by the rank of the cards in a player’s hand and the number of cards in the hand. A high-ranking hand includes a full house, two pairs, three of a kind, and straight. The highest card breaks ties.

When betting, top poker players tend to play their strong hands aggressively. This helps them build the pot and force out weaker hands. It also allows them to disguise the strength of their hands.

If you want to become a winning poker player, you need to learn the basics of the game. Start by studying some poker charts so you can understand the rankings of different hands. For example, it is important to know that a flush beats a straight and three of a kind beats two pair. You can also watch videos of professional poker players on YouTube and observe how they play.