A game of poker involves betting between players. The first player to put money into the pot starts the betting. Depending on the rules of the game, there might be an ante or blinds that all players must pay before being dealt in. This helps make the game fair for all players.

After all players have their 2 hole cards the dealer deals a third card face up to the table called the “flop”. There is another round of betting. This time around the player to the left of the button must place a bet that everyone else can match or raise.

If you have a strong hand that will win the pot then you want to play it aggressively. If your hand is not good you should fold. Often times you can guess what other players have in their hands, especially after the flop, so don’t be afraid to try to get information.

It is okay to sit out a few hands if you need a quick bathroom break, want to drink some water or take a call. However, if you want to skip more than a few hands, then it is important that you do not let your absences cause any unfairness in the game.