Poker is a game with a lot of skill and psychology. It is not just a game of chance but can also be influenced by your opponents and the situation you are playing in. It is important to understand the basic rules and hand rankings before you start betting. Also, it is good to spend some time observing experienced players and trying to understand how they react. This will help you develop your own instincts and build a solid poker strategy.
In a cash game, each player places their chips into the pot when it is their turn to act. The dealer can raise a bet to make the player put more of their own money into the pot. They can also check (pass on their turn to act and allow other players to raise) if they are not interested in betting or do not have a strong hand.
When a player has a strong poker hand they should always be raising. This will price all of the weaker hands out of the pot and give you a much better chance of winning the hand. If you do not have a strong poker hand it is often better to fold.
Many poker players try to gain a competitive edge by learning the tells of other players. These are the unconscious habits a player has which reveal information about their hand. They can be as simple as a change in posture or facial expression.