Poker is a card game in which players place bets to form a winning hand. The amount of money bet is known as the pot and a player can win the pot by betting with a hand that has a high probability of beating the other players’ hands. Unlike some other casino games, the outcome of poker is significantly determined by chance and therefore players must make decisions based on probability theory and game theory.

The first step to playing well is understanding the basic rules. After a player has the two cards they have been dealt, they must decide whether to hit (take another card), stay or double up. If they want to stay, they must call the amount of money the last active player raised. If they decide to raise, they must raise an amount equal to the total stake made by all players who haven’t called the last raiser.

Once you understand the basic rules, it is time to begin working on your preflop strategy. The goal is to play a tight range of strong and playable hands, but to be very aggressive when you do have good hands. This makes you tough to beat and allows you to disguise the strength of your hands.

One of the most difficult things to learn in poker is how to handle the constant ups and downs that the game can throw at you. Most casual players struggle to cope with bad beats, coolers and getting tilted. It is important to be able to keep your emotions in check and remember that the game of poker is 90% mental.