Poker is a card game in which players wager chips based on the relative strength of their hands. Each player acts in turn, betting into the pot the amount of chips that they think their hand is worth. They may also bluff, hoping that other players will call their bet and concede defeat.

To succeed in poker, you need to develop a thorough understanding of the rules and strategy of the game. The best way to do this is to read books and articles on the subject, such as David Sklansky’s “The Theory of Poker”.

You should also pay close attention to the behavior of other players at the table, watching for tells. These can include the nervous habits that many people display, such as fiddling with chips or a ring. But more importantly, you should be able to pick up on the subtle clues that other players are giving off when they are holding strong hands.

Lastly, be sure to make aggressive bets when you have a good hand. This will help you force weaker hands to fold and will increase the overall value of the pot. However, don’t be too aggressive; you can easily lose money if you aren’t careful. Instead, identify conservative players, who tend to fold early in a hand, and bet against them. Likewise, be aware of aggressive players who will often raise their bets on every street. These players can be very dangerous to a novice’s bankroll.