Poker is a card game played between two or more people. Players place a wager before the cards are dealt by putting chips or cash in a pot called a blind or bring-in. A player may also have to put in an initial amount of money before his or her turn, called an ante.

If a player takes a long time to make an action, such as checking or calling a bet, this usually indicates that they have a good hand. If they move quickly, they are likely to have a weak one.

When a player is in the lead, his or her actions tell other players a lot about what kind of hand they have. A strong hand will often bluff or check to force weak hands out of the pot. A weak hand will typically call a bet or raise, but may also fold.

Observing experienced players can help you develop quick instincts. Watch how they react to situations and think about how you would have reacted in the same situation to build your own strategy.

While it’s important to be careful when betting, it’s also good to play a lot of hands and make mistakes, especially when you’re learning. Every mistake you make is a brick in the foundation of knowledge that will eventually lead to your success at poker. However, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t be afraid to fold if you have a bad hand.