The word poker has been used in a lot of different ways, but it usually means something like “a game where you place chips into a pot.” But it also refers to a certain strategy of betting and raising that is based on math and information about your opponent. Top players have several similar skills, including patience, reading other players, and adaptability. They are also skilled at calculating pot odds and percentages. Finally, they practice a lot to build quick instincts.

When a player is dealt two hole cards, there is a round of betting which starts with the player to the left of the dealer. Then one more card is dealt face up on the table called the flop. Then there is another round of betting and the player with the best five-card hand wins.

A good rule of thumb is that your hand is only as strong or weak as what the other players are holding. For example, if you hold K-K and the other players are holding A-A, your kings lose 82% of the time. So you have to be able to work out the ranges of your opponents and decide how to play them.

Observe the way other players play their hands and look for tells, such as widened eyes, drumming fingers, or bouncing legs. These are signals that an opponent is nervous or afraid of losing their hand, and could lead to a bad decision.