Poker is a game that requires both skill and psychology to win. It’s easy to find a poker book and learn the basic rules, but becoming an expert player takes years of practice and dedication to master the game.

During the first few betting rounds, players must place an initial amount into the pot. These are called forced bets, and they can come in the form of antes, blinds or bring-ins. Once the bets are made, the dealer shuffles the cards and deals them to each player, starting with the person to their left. After the deal, each player must decide whether to stay in the hand or fold it.

A good way to increase the value of your hand is by bluffing. This can make your opponent think you have a strong hand and they will be less likely to call your bet.

You can also improve the strength of your hand by fast playing it. This will build the pot and potentially chase off other players who are waiting for a better hand to beat yours.

One of the most important things to remember when playing poker is that human nature will try to derail your strategy. You will be tempted to make bad calls or ill-advised bluffs, even if you have an excellent plan for your gameplay. To win at poker, you must be able to overcome these temptations and stick to your plan, even when it’s boring or frustrating.