Poker is a card game where players bet chips (representing money) into the pot. A round of betting begins after all players have received two cards. The first player to the left of the dealer must place chips into the pot if he wants to continue playing the hand. He may either call, raise or fold.

There is a lot of skill involved in the game, even though it is largely a game of chance. To be successful in the long run, a beginner needs to learn how to read his opponents’ tells and understand what to look for in other players’ betting behavior.

In addition, a beginner should also develop good bankroll management skills, which will help him avoid losing all of his money during a bad streak. It is important to remember that even professional poker players go through losing streaks. It is essential to keep a running count of your bankroll and make adjustments as necessary.

As a beginning poker player, you should try to play more speculative hands and aim to see the flop as cheaply as possible (i.e. with good implied odds and pot odds). You should try to bluff only when it makes sense. For example, if you have a pair of Aces and your opponent has a pair of 9s and catches their third nine on the river, it’s probably best to call their bet rather than arguing with them about how stupid their play was.