Poker is a card game played by two or more people. Each player has a set number of chips to bet with, and everyone is dealt two cards. Players aim to make the best five-card “hand” using their own two cards and the community cards. The highest hand wins the pot, which is all of the chips bet so far during the betting round.
Tight play means playing only strong hands and folding weak ones. This approach reduces the amount of money lost on speculative hands and improves the chance of winning bigger pots. Aggressive play includes betting and raising when you have a good hand, as well as bluffing to put pressure on opponents. The more you practice and watch experienced players, the quicker you will develop your instincts.
Before the cards are dealt, each player must post a small blind and a big blind. These are forced bets that help build the pot and give players something to chase. Top players often fast-play their strong hands, as this can help them win more money. However, be careful not to overplay – it’s important to balance out whether the pot odds and potential returns work in your favor.
It’s also a good idea to review your hands after each session. This can help you understand what went wrong and how to improve your strategy. Be sure to look at both hands that went well and ones that went poorly, as there are usually a few key factors that contributed to each outcome.