Poker is a card game where players make a wager (‘ante’) to receive cards and then bet into the pot when betting rounds begin. When the betting rounds end, the highest hand wins the pot.

While luck can have a role in poker, it also relies on skill. It’s about reading the other players at your table and making adjustments to your strategy based on that information.

A winning poker strategy starts with studying the basic rules of the game. Educate yourself on hand rankings, the meaning of positions (Cut-Off (CO) versus Under the Gun (UTG)), and the effects of the community cards on the pot. It’s also important to study the bluffing tactics of other players at your table. If you’re not a natural bluffer, learn to disguise your bets with body language and facial expressions.

When betting begins, it’s a good idea to raise your bets when you have a strong hand to increase the value of your pot. This will force weak hands to fold and give you the opportunity to make your bluffs more effective.

Remember, your hand is only as good or bad as the other player’s. Your kings may be excellent, but if the other player has A-A, your kings will lose 82% of the time. The same goes for a low pair; your two 10s may be terrible, but if the other player holds K-K, your hand will still win 20% of the time.