Poker is a card game where you compete with other players to make the best five-card hand using your own two cards and the community cards. Betting is done with chips and each player has the option to fold, call (match another player’s bet), raise or check (pass on betting). There are usually three rounds of betting before the flop, the turn and the river.

Position at the table plays a big role in how you start your hand range and strategy. Early positions risk more money and must make decisions with less information than those in later positions. In addition, your actions in early position tell your opponents what kind of hand you’re holding.

When you are in late position at the table, you can see how everyone else has acted and make more informed decisions. This is why it is important to spend time watching how other players play at the table and studying their betting patterns.

The aim of a successful poker player is to maximise the value of your winning hands and minimise losses when you don’t have a good one. This principle is known as MinMax or Maximise Wins – Minimise Losses. If you stick to this principle, you will find that your bankroll grows over time. This is the best way to make a long term profit from this exciting game.