Poker is a card game in which players make a hand by ranking cards according to their suit. The player with the best hand wins the pot at the end of each betting round. Typically, each player puts an initial amount of money into the pot before dealing cards, called antes, blinds or bring-ins. Players may also raise their bets during a betting round.

The basic strategy of the game involves learning to read your opponents’ bets and body language, as well as concealing your own tells. You must also learn to read the table conditions and make quick decisions. The more you practice, the better you will become. Watch experienced players to develop your instincts and improve your own game.

Another important part of poker strategy is understanding ranges, which refer to the probability that your opponent has a certain type of hand. For example, if your opponent has a strong value hand, you should try to put them on that, rather than trying to work out exactly what they have.

Finally, you should always bet big when you have a good hand and call small when you have mediocre or drawing hands. This is called pot control and it allows you to get the most value out of your strong hands while limiting your losses when you are bluffing. It also helps you to keep your opponents guessing about the strength of your bluffs, which is vital for success in this psychologically demanding game.