Poker is a card game where you compete against other players. It is a mentally intensive game and you should only play it when you feel at ease. This will ensure you perform at your best. If you ever start feeling frustration, fatigue or anger, then it is a good idea to stop the game. You will probably save yourself a lot of money in the long run by doing so.

You start by putting in an amount of money, called the ante, into the pot before you begin playing. Then 2 cards are dealt to each player and there is a round of betting. Once everyone has their cards, you can say hit or stay to indicate which hand you want to continue playing.

In the early stages, it is best to play conservative hands. This will help you learn the game and gain confidence. However, as you become more experienced you should open up your hand ranges and mix your play up a bit. Advanced players try to get a picture of what their opponent is likely holding by studying their tendencies and observing how they react.

Beginners often fall into the trap of trying to force their way out of a bad hand by raising and calling excessively. This will make other players wary of calling re-raises from the early positions and they will be less likely to go head-to-head with you. They will also know that you are not bluffing and they will have to make a much stronger hand to beat yours.