Poker is a card game in which the goal is to form the highest-ranking hand during each betting round, in order to win the pot. A player can do this by calling (putting the same amount of money into the pot as the player before them) or raising (putting more than the previous player).

To be successful at poker, you need several skills. First, you need to be disciplined and committed to improving your game. This includes keeping notes and analyzing your results. It also means being able to play in games that fit your bankroll and skill level.

Practicing and watching experienced players will help you develop quick instincts, which is key to success in poker. You’ll learn how the experienced players react and use their actions as inspiration for your own style of play.

While luck will always play a role in poker, a skilled player can out-perform the luckiest in the long run. To do this, you need to play tight and aggressively. This will increase the chances of hitting a good hand and force your opponents to fold early in a betting street. Aim to play a small percentage of your starting hands, and don’t over-limp. This is a common mistake that inexperienced and losing players make. Usually, over-limping occurs when you have a weak or average hand and you call re-raises from late positions. Instead, try to get into the pot pre-flop by raising when you have a strong or better hand.