In poker, players must pay a small amount of money (typically a dime) to get dealt cards. The person to their left, known as the button, must then raise a similar amount before they act. This helps keep the action flowing and gives players something to chase.

The object of the game is to win more money than your opponents. This can be accomplished with a mix of skill and luck. Having the discipline to play only good starting hands and the confidence to bet when you do have a strong hand is essential. It’s also important to be aware of the rules and limits of your game, so that you don’t bleed yourself out or become vulnerable to big bets from your opponents.

One of the most common mistakes new players make is slowplaying their strong value hands in an attempt to outplay and trap their opponents. Unfortunately, this usually backfires and makes them lose more money than they would have otherwise won. The best way to play a strong value hand is to bet and raise often, giving your opponents the impression that you have a better hand than they think.

Every action you take, fold, call, or check, gives your opponents bits of information they can use to build a story about you. Pay attention to classic tells, such as shallow breathing, sighing, flaring nostrils, watery eyes, a rapid heart rate, and a hand over the mouth to conceal a smile.