Poker is a card game that involves chance, but it’s also a highly competitive skill game. To improve your odds of winning you need to understand the fundamentals of poker strategy and psychology.

The first step is determining the strength of your holding. This is done by watching how players react to the flop and the board. They will unintentionally give away information about the strength of their hands by talking, emoting or displaying body language.

After the cards have been dealt there will be a round of betting. During this round players can fold, call or raise. The highest hand wins the pot. Before betting starts the dealer shuffles the cards and deals them to each player starting with the person on their left. Players may place bets into the pot either voluntarily or due to being forced to make an initial bet (known as a “blind bet”).

Once the initial betting round is over the dealer deals three additional cards face up on the table. These are called the community cards and anyone can use them to create a poker hand.

Pay attention to the way players handle their chips, a tight, careful grip usually means they have a strong hold. Conversely sloppy chips indicate a weak one. Also pay close attention to how players are interacting with the other players at the table. Talking out of turn, giving away info or distracting other players is not only poor etiquette but will likely reduce your win rate.