In poker, players are dealt 2 cards and can choose to discard them or keep them in order to try to make a winning poker hand. After the initial betting round is over the dealer deals a third card to everyone, this is called the flop. After that the player can decide to call or raise. Ideally you should only call if the pot odds work in your favor and if you have a good poker hand. Otherwise just fold.
You need to be able to read the other players and their poker faces. This is an essential part of the game and can be improved by practicing at home with a buddy or watching poker replays. Developing your poker instincts will also help you to play well. You can even enlist the help of an experienced friend to improve your game.
There are a number of poker strategies that have been proven effective, however the best poker players develop their own approach through careful self-examination and by discussing their hands with other people for an objective view. They are also committed to smart game selection and limit/game variations so that they can participate in games that maximize their chances of success.
When it comes to bet sizing, the best poker players learn how to adjust their bet size depending on what is happening in a hand. It is a complicated process that involves many different factors such as previous action, players left in a hand, stack depth and pot odds. Learning to master this skill will increase the value of your poker hands.