Poker is a card game that involves betting between two or more players. Each player places their chips into a pot, and players can choose to raise the bet by adding more money than a previous player, or simply call. They may also fold their hand, or “check.” Bluffing is an important aspect of the game and is a technique that requires practice to master.

A great way to learn the game is through reading books on poker strategy, but even the most experienced players will tell you that there is a great deal of room for improvement. This is a game that requires a high level of mental discipline, and it is not easy to get ahead of your opponents. It is not uncommon to lose a few hands on bad beats, but if you want to win consistently, you must learn to keep your emotions in check and stick with your strategy.

Position

The position at the table has a major impact on your starting hand range and strategy. Players in early positions (like the SB and BB) risk more money than players in late position because they have less information before they act. Therefore, they need to be able to read their opponents’ actions better and determine what kind of hand they are holding. This is accomplished by analyzing physical tells such as eye contact, facial expressions, body language, and gestures. These tells can reveal anything from their confidence level to their true strength of their hand.