If you want to start off with your favorite character or just want faster access to an agent, you can unlock contract chapters by spending Valorant Points from the store. Unlocking an agent requires a sum of 1,000 VP, which costs $10. Xbox Game Pass subscribers have it even easier...
If you are not a very experienced player, watching professional games and big tournaments will greatly help you. So before betting large sums on Valorant, you should start by watching the big events, study the available odds, and soon you will start to understand all the specifics much better...