Poker is a game of incomplete information. Every action you take, whether it’s to call, check, raise, or fold, gives your opponents bits of information that they use to build a story about what kind of hand you have. Those stories can bolster or undermine your strength, but you must be able to understand them if you’re going to play consistently well.
For new players, it is generally advised to start off relatively tight and only play the top 20% to 15% of hands. This will keep your losses low and give you time to learn how to play more aggressively as you gain experience.
Once you have a handle on how to play the game and are ready to move up to the next level, you should experiment with concepts like semi-bluffing, 4-bets, and more. But remember that the element of luck can always derail you, so a growth mindset is essential.
Each round consists of multiple betting rounds with one or more forced bets being placed (the ante or blind). The player to the left of the dealer shuffles, cuts, and deals each player cards. Then the players can choose to call, fold, check, or bet a certain amount into the pot. As the round progresses and the pot grows, bet sizes will naturally get larger and larger.