Poker is a fast-paced card game where players place chips into the pot after every betting round. The first player to act must either match the amount of the biggest raise or fold their hand. Players may also “check” if they don’t want to bet. This means they pass their turn to the player on their left and wait until play comes back around to them again.

Poker strategy is based on positioning versus your opponents and making sure to act in position when possible. This will make it much easier for you to decide how to play your hands and help you control the size of the pot. In addition, playing in position allows you to see your opponent’s actions before you and exploit their mistakes.

The most important thing in poker is to remember that it’s a game of relative value. While you may have a great hand, the other players at your table could have pocket rockets. This is why it’s so important to read your opponent’s tells and be able to spot weak hands when they call yours.

One of the most popular poker catchphrases is “Play the player, not the cards.” This means that while you may have a good hand, you need to know how it compares to other players’ hands and adjust your strategy accordingly. You should also learn to read your opponents by watching their body language and analyzing their actions. For example, if a player scratches their nose or plays nervously with their chips it is likely that they have a weak hand.