Poker is a game of skill that requires strategic thinking and decision-making skills. It is also a great way to connect with others and develop social skills. It can even lower stress and anxiety levels.

The first step in learning to play poker is understanding the game’s rules and how it works. You should also familiarize yourself with the various betting structures and betting intervals.

To begin, players must decide whether they will call a bet based on the value of their own hand and the expected returns of other possible hands. This process is known as analyzing the risk-reward ratio of a bet.

The best players fast-play their strong hands, which can help them build the pot and chase off opponents waiting for draws that could beat them. In contrast, weaker players often limp, which is a poor choice that gives away information to their opponents and can lead to costly mistakes.

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to play too many hands, especially when they are in late position and facing large bets. This can be very expensive in the long run because it exposes them to a high risk of losing their chips to better players who have the opportunity to make a winning call on a later street. Ideally, you should be able to identify the best action for your position in every situation.