Poker is a card game that involves betting between two or more players. The aim is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets placed by players in a particular hand. In order to win the pot, a player must have the highest-ranking poker hand or be able to force all other players to fold.

The first step to playing poker is figuring out how to read your opponents. This includes observing their facial expressions and reading their body language. Observing their actions, especially those of the more experienced players, can help you to understand how they think and play. Beginners should also learn how to watch for tells, which are signs that a person is holding a strong hand.

Once you’ve mastered basic strategy, it’s time to start learning the more advanced concepts of the game. This includes understanding odds, EV estimation, and how to spot bad players. Over time, these concepts will become second-nature to you and you’ll be able to apply them without thinking.

While poker is a game of chance, most bets are made based on expected value. It is important for beginner poker players to learn how to make bets that will maximize their chances of winning. This is done by observing the betting patterns of other players and determining their bluffing range. For example, if a player calls every bet on the river, they are probably holding a strong hand.