In poker, players bet money or chips into an ever-increasing pot. Each player has the option to “call” a bet by adding the same number of chips to the pot as their predecessor; or raise, in which case they put in more than that amount. A player may also “drop” (fold), in which case they put nothing into the pot, forfeit their hand, and are out of the betting until the next deal.
Once each player has two hole cards, a round of betting begins. Each player can check, call, or raise, as they wish, adding more and more chips to the pot at each turn.
After the first bet is called, another card is dealt face up. This is the flop. A new round of betting starts, starting with the player to the left of the dealer.
If you hold a strong hand, you should try to make it as big as possible on the flop. A good way to do this is to bet aggressively. This will often scare off other players who might otherwise have called your bluff.
You can learn more about poker by studying the different variations of the game. Ask fellow players if you need help with this, and be sure to watch others play before trying it yourself. It’s important to understand the unwritten rules of poker etiquette. For example, it is considered bad form to hide the strength of your bet by obscuring your chips or making other movements that might give you away.