The game of poker is a card game played by two or more players. It is a game of chance, but the long-run expectations of the players are determined by actions chosen on the basis of probability, psychology and game theory. Unlike other card games, poker requires players to put up an initial amount of money before seeing their cards (the ante and blinds). This creates a pot immediately and encourages competition.

Having good instincts is a critical part of winning at poker. To develop these, observe experienced players and try to imagine how you would react in their position. This will help you become faster and better at making decisions.

It is also important to know the rules of the game. This includes knowing what hands beat what and understanding basic strategies such as bluffing. To bluff effectively, you must evaluate your opponent’s range, the board and more. If you don’t understand this, your bluffs will likely fail.

You should also be able to read your opponents and watch for tells. These aren’t just the obvious things like fiddling with their chips or wearing a hat, but more subtle clues that they may be holding an unbeatable hand. For example, a player who normally calls every bet but suddenly raises theirs is probably holding a monster hand.

It is important to study poker numbers such as frequencies and EV estimation. This will help you make better decisions and increase your win rate.