Poker is a card game that requires some luck, but it’s also a game of incredibly high skill. Players must know how to calculate points, read opponents and keep a straight face. This is why it’s important to learn about the different poker variants and rules before playing. There are plenty of online guides that can help.

The basic elements of poker are fairly similar across all variants, although there are some subtle differences in betting rounds and the ways in which you make a five-card hand. The overall aim of any hand is to win the pot – all the bets made during that round. This can be done by having the highest ranked hand when it’s showdown, or by making other players fold in the betting phases before that.

When it comes to reading other players, you should focus on their tells – the way they move their hands and body language, for example. If you can read an opponent’s tells, you’ll be able to pick out the good hands from the bad. A player who calls a lot but then suddenly raises may be holding a big hand, while a player who is bluffing often has weak or marginal hands.

Another crucial part of poker strategy is deciding how much to bet in each hand. This is a difficult task, as it depends on your own situation, the players in the hand and the previous action. Ideally, you’ll want to bet enough to scare off other players but not so much that they fold their cards.

Getting the bet size right is one of the most difficult parts of poker and something that many players struggle with. You need to take into account the amount of money you’ve already invested, the number of chips in your stack and the current pot odds. It’s also worth noting that the more experienced you are, the easier it will be to figure out how much to bet.

One of the biggest mistakes that new players make is to play too cautiously in poker, which will often result in them being shoved around the table by stronger opponents. The best way to avoid this is to be aggressive when you can, but remember that you should only call re-raises with strong hands and never with marginal ones.

It’s also worth remembering that poker is a mentally intensive game, so you should only play it when you feel ready for it. If you start to get frustrated, tired or angry, you should stop the session immediately. This will not only help you improve your performance but also protect your bankroll from unnecessary losses.