Poker is a card game in which players bet on the strength of their hand and the cards in play. The winnings are shared among the players with a high enough hand to call a raise.

During the first betting interval, each player receives two cards face down and one card faced up. This is their hole card. They then have a choice to call, raise or drop their hand.

The player to the left of the Big Blind, also called “under the gun,” is the first to act on his hand. He must raise his bet if he has a higher-ranking hand than the next player. A player may also check, provided no other players have made a bet in that betting interval.

If the person to your right raises their bet, you can choose to call by saying, “I call.” This means you will place the same amount of money into the pot as the last player. The other players will then have an opportunity to raise again or pass.

The best way to get a good hand is to bet aggressively, as this makes it more difficult for other players to beat you. Be careful not to overdo it, though. If you bet too much, other players will assume you’re bluffing and fold. Observe how other players play and react to their actions to develop quick instincts. This will help you make better decisions in the heat of the moment.