Poker is a card game that requires some skill and psychology. Although much of the game involves chance, players’ actions and decisions are chosen on the basis of probability theory, psychology and game theory.

The goal of the game is to win a pot by placing chips in it with a stronger hand than your opponents’. You may also place chips into the pot by calling a bet made by the player to your right, which is called “calling” or simply “calling.”

You must be disciplined and persistent in order to succeed at poker. You must also commit to studying the game and putting in the time needed to improve. In addition, you must be able to select the proper limits and games for your bankroll and skill level. A fun game will not always be the most profitable one for you, and playing in a group of friends will not necessarily provide the best learning opportunity.

Learn to read your opponents and watch for tells. Tells include nervous habits such as fiddling with a ring or a stack of chips. They also include the way an opponent moves around the table, such as checking to see if other players call his bet before raising it.

Playing in position is important, as it will allow you to control the size of the pot. For example, if you check in late position and an aggressive player calls, you will be able to raise him post-flop without having to put more money into the pot. This will allow you to increase your winnings and avoid losing to weak hands.