Poker is a card game that requires a lot of strategy and thinking before you play. It became more popular in the early 21st century because the invention of hole-card cameras made it possible to follow the action as a spectator sport. It’s a great way to relax and have some fun, but you need to be smart about the way you play it in order to make money.

When you’re first starting out, bet aggressively. This will help you establish yourself as a force to be reckoned with at the table. If you have premium cards like a pair of Kings or Queens, don’t be afraid to put out some heat right away. You’ll find that the players at your table will think twice before betting against you when they see you bet so much with your premium hand.

After all players have ante’d (an amount that varies by game, ours is a nickel), two mandatory bets called blinds are placed into the pot by the 2 players to the left of the dealer. This creates a pot of money and encourages competition.

Then 2 community cards are dealt face up and the second round of betting begins. At this point, you’ll need to know what your cards are, and the best hands are: a full house (4 matching cards of one rank and two matching cards of another rank) a flush (5 cards that skip around in rank but are all from the same suit), or three of a kind (3 cards of the same rank) and 2 pair (2 cards of the same rank and 1 unmatched card). If you have a good hand, don’t be afraid to raise. Betting is stronger than calling, and it’s more likely to win a hand.