The game of poker is not just a game of luck, it’s also a game of psychology and bluffing. However, even the best bluffs and calls only get you so far in this highly skill-based card game. In order to become a top player in the game, you need to understand how to play every hand correctly and overcome the mental obstacles that will try to derail your game.

Poker is a betting game, and each round begins when a player makes a bet in turn. Each player to the left must either “call” that bet by putting the same amount of chips into the pot, raise (put in more than the previous bet), or drop their cards and not participate in the hand any further (this is called folding).

Once everyone has called the first bet and placed their own bet into the pot the dealer deals three community cards face up on the table for everyone still in the hand to use. This is called the flop.

At this point players will continue to place bets in the pot, raise or fold until one person has the best poker hand. This is called the Showdown. When you are holding a strong hand like pocket kings or a full house on the flop it is often better to bet big to force weak hands out of the pot rather than limping (putting in a small bet that isn’t enough to call). This will increase the value of your poker hand and help you win more hands in the long run.