Poker is a card game in which players try to make the best five-card hand from two of their own cards and five cards on the table. The best hand wins the pot.

Depending on the variant, the game may be played with two to 14 players. Most forms of the game involve a dealer button that moves one spot clockwise after every hand, and each player must place an ante in the pot before betting.

The goal of the game is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets made by all players in a single deal. The object is to have the highest hand, but players can also win by bluffing or by making a bet that no other player calls.

Playing a solid range of hands is the best way to develop strategy and avoid overplaying. Pocket pairs, suited aces, broadway hands, and best-suited connectors are all good starting hands that can be used to develop strategy.

Reading your opponent is another important skill to have in poker. It can be difficult to develop, but it’s not impossible. Psychologists and law enforcement officials have written extensively about the importance of reading facial expressions, body language, and other tells.

You’ll also need to be able to read your opponents’ moods, eye movements, and the time they take when making decisions. There are many books on the topic, and it’s even more important to practice observing your own opponents and learning to recognize their patterns.