Poker is a card game played between two or more players and where the twin elements of luck and skill are both required for a player to win. Over time, the application of skill can virtually eliminate the variance of chance.

The goal of the game is to form the best possible 5-card poker hand based on the cards you hold and the community cards on the table. The player who has the highest poker hand at the end of each betting round wins the pot.

One of the most important skills in poker is learning to read your opponents and understand their tendencies. This will help you to be a better bluffer, and also to make decisions about how much to call or raise on the pre-flop and flop rounds.

Another important element of the game is knowing what to do with your own hands. Whether your hand is strong or weak, you need to be aggressive when your opponent checks and you have the opportunity to bet. This will often force your opponent to fold, and this is great for you as you can now try your bluff.

You also need to be smart about your table selection, and only play against players that you are better than. This may mean playing for a smaller amount of money than you would like, but it is essential to your success in the game. Observe more experienced players and watch how they react to build up your instincts.