Poker is a card game played between two or more players with the goal of winning the pot (the sum total of all bets made during one deal). Players can win the pot by having the highest-ranking poker hand at the end of a betting round, or by making a bet that no other player calls, forcing them to fold.

When starting out in poker, it’s important to focus on the basics. The first thing you should do is study some charts to learn what hands beat what. For example, a full house contains 3 matching cards of one rank, while a flush consists of five cards that skip in rank but are all the same suit.

Once you’ve learned the basic rules of poker, it’s time to start studying other players. Watching experienced players can help you understand their strategies and tactics, as well as learn from their mistakes. But be careful not to copy them exactly—it’s important to develop your own poker style.

One of the most common mistakes that new players make is to play their strong value hands too weakly. This can lead to them missing out on a lot of money, especially if they are in a game with stronger players. Another mistake is chasing their draws, as this can cost them a lot of money. Instead, you should always balance up whether the pot odds and potential returns are worth it before calling a draw.