Poker is a card game played between two or more players. It involves betting on the outcome of a hand and, in some variants, on bluffing. The game has a very large element of chance and, therefore, even the best poker players can only expect to win a small percentage of hands.

The first step towards becoming a winning player is to get your head in the game. That means observing your opponents and developing a solid range of hands you will play in different situations. Having a range allows you to bet and raise with more confidence.

Once the players have all received their 2 hole cards, there is a round of betting that starts with the player to the left of the dealer (or button). During this betting interval, each player must place chips into the pot (representing money) at least equal to the total contribution made by the player before him.

This is a very important concept to grasp, as it is the basis of understanding the game’s math. It also explains why so many beginner players break even or struggle to win at a decent clip, while the big winners are able to consistently make money in the long run.