Poker is a card game where players make bets with their hands and the community cards. It is a game of bluffing and skill, where the best player will win. There is a lot of luck in poker, but the game also requires strategic thinking and analyzing your opponents. This includes reading body language and observing subtle physical tells.

When it’s your turn to play, you can say “call” if you want to match the last person’s bet. This means you will put the same amount of chips in the pot as them. You can also raise your bet if you want to increase the value of your hand. If you have a good hand, this can be a smart strategy as it will force weaker hands out of the game.

You can also say “fold” if you don’t want to keep playing your hand. This will remove you from the betting round and lose any chips that you have put into the pot. You can still return and watch the next hand, however.

While poker does involve a lot of luck, it’s just like any other competitive skill game: The best players will always win. By learning optimal frequencies and hand ranges, you can improve your chances of winning. For example, you should avoid calling too many hands with a strong hand and only bluff when you have a good one. By doing this, you’ll increase your chance of a big win and avoid losing a large amount of money.