Poker is a card game in which players place bets on the probability of winning a hand, called the pot. The object of the game is to win the pot by having the highest-ranking poker hand or by making a bet that no other player calls. The game may be played by two to 14 players, although it is best for 6-8 people at a table.

Poker involves a great deal of luck, but it is primarily a game of skill. As a result, it is possible for good players to win large amounts of money over time. To do this, they must learn to make optimal betting decisions with their hands in all situations and learn about the structure of the game and its rules.

One of the most important skills in poker is reading your opponents. This can be a difficult skill to develop, but it is essential for success in the game. Good players watch for tells, such as the way a player holds their cards or their facial expressions. They also track the timing of a player’s decision-making process and their mood shifts.

Another key skill is position. Having position allows you to make better decisions by controlling the size of the pot. For example, if you have a strong poker hand like a pair of kings, you can often bet aggressively to take the lead against your opponents. This will often force them to fold, or at least think twice about calling your bets with weaker hands.