Poker is a card game played between two or more players. The game is governed by rules that vary according to the variant of poker being played. Regardless of the variation of poker being played, one of the most important aspects of the game is bankroll management. This involves playing within the limits of what a player can afford to lose, and only participating in games with players at a similar skill level.

The game can be played with two or more people, although ideally it is best played by five or six players. The cards are shuffled and then dealt to the players in turn. Each player then places a bet into the pot (a pile of chips representing money) in order to compete for the winning hand. The player who has the highest value card wins. A player can also exercise pot control by simply calling a bet to keep the size of the pot under control.

A good poker player must develop several skills to be successful. These skills include a solid understanding of the game and all its variants, along with reading other players to observe their tells. In addition, a strong poker player must learn to think in terms of ranges instead of focusing on specific hands. This is because the opponents’ range of hands is likely to be different in each situation. Advanced players will attempt to estimate this range and then play their hands accordingly.