Poker is a card game in which players bet in turns, placing chips (representing money) into the pot. In addition to this, players may bluff other players for strategic reasons. While the outcome of any particular hand involves some degree of chance, winning at poker requires skills in probability, psychology, and game theory.

There are many different poker variants, but most share a few basic rules. The first is that players are dealt two cards and betting begins. Each player must then choose to either hit, call, or fold.

When you call, you put the same amount of money into the pot as the player before you. You can also raise, which means you’re putting more than your opponent did. As the last to act, you can control how much the pot size is inflated – for example, if you have a strong value hand you can bet high to make it harder for opponents to call you.

Besides learning the basic rules, new players should learn to play poker strategically. This involves understanding relative hand strength, which means that your hands are only good or bad in relation to what other players have. For example, your kings are probably winners 82% of the time, but if an opponent has A-A and the flop is 10-J-6, your kings will be losers.

The game also involves knowing how to read other players and watch for “tells.” These are the tells that give away a person’s true intentions in a hand. They can include things like fidgeting with their chips or adjusting their ring, and they can also be a player’s playing style.

The best way to get a feel for the game is to play at one table and observe other players’ actions. It’s also important to develop a solid base range of hands you play and stick to it. Pocket pairs, suited aces, and broadway hands are all good starting hands, and they should comprise about 25% of your overall range. It’s also important to mix up your hands when you’re bluffing, as this will keep your opponents guessing. If they always know what you have, they’ll be unable to beat your bluffs. However, you shouldn’t go overboard and make it obvious that you have a great hand; doing so will only backfire in the long run. This article focuses on developing your base range of hands, but don’t be afraid to experiment once you’re comfortable with it. Just remember to be patient and study your results to identify any mistakes you’re making. And most importantly, never stop learning.