Poker is a gambling game that’s popular around the world. It’s fun, exciting and requires some skill to win. The more you know, the better decisions you can make at the table.

The rules of poker are simple: Players place an initial amount in the pot called an ‘ante’ (varies by game, but it typically amounts to a nickel), and then they bet into the pot until someone calls or folds. The highest hand wins the pot.

Bluffing is an important part of poker; it’s the ability to trick other players into thinking you have a good hand. It’s an important strategy, but it can also be counterproductive if you try to bluff too much.

Often new poker players are afraid to play weak hands because they think they’ll be embarrassed by their opponents. This is a common mistake.

A good poker strategy is to bet aggressively with strong hands, especially on the flop and turn. This will usually eke out value from other players and prevent them from calling you when they have weaker hands.

A player’s ranges are a good place to start developing your poker knowledge. They involve analyzing the full range of possible cards your opponent could have and working out how likely it is that you hold a hand that beats it.