Poker is a gambling game where players compete against each other to win money. It requires a lot of skill and discipline, so you need to be able to play well if you want to be successful at it.

First, you need to understand the basic rules of the game. In most games, the first round of betting involves placing a small amount of money in the pot before the cards are dealt. This is called an ante, and it varies by game.

Once the antes are in place, the dealer deals two cards to each player. Then, each player chooses whether or not they want to bet.

When it comes to the next round of betting, players can either fold (not play), call (match the bet), or raise (add more money to the betting pool). This is done in clockwise order from left to right.

One of the most important things you need to know about Poker is the way position affects your ability to win. Generally, you should try to get in the position of being to the left of the big blind pre-flop and to the left of the button for subsequent betting rounds.

Another crucial part of your strategy is figuring out what starting hands to act on. The best starting hand is a pair of Kings, Queens, or Aces.

You can bet aggressively with these hands, but make sure you have a strong hand against your opponents. If you have a pair of Kings and the opponent has a pair of low-ranking cards, your hands will be hard to beat.