Poker is a card game played in rounds of betting. The aim is to have the highest ranked hand at the end of the round. It can be a tricky game to understand, especially for complete beginners. But once the rules are understood, it is very easy to play.

Players put in forced bets before being dealt cards, usually an ante and a blind bet. This creates a pot of money or chips immediately and encourages competition. Players then receive their cards, which are kept hidden from the other players.

A round of betting then starts, with the player to the left acting first. It’s important to keep track of how much each player is betting, so you can determine how good your chances of winning are. This is the best way to make informed decisions.

Taking notes during a hand is also essential, as it allows you to learn the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent’s hands. For example, if you see that an opponent is raising a lot of money with a weak hand, you can bet aggressively to force them to fold.

You should also study some charts to understand the order of poker hands – for instance, a straight beats a flush and three of a kind beats two pair. This will help you to decide how much to raise and call, or when to fold. You should also only gamble with an amount of money that you’re willing to lose, and be sure to track your wins and losses.