Poker is a card game that involves betting between players and can be played in casinos, private homes, or over the Internet. It is often considered to be a game of chance, but it also involves skill and bluffing. It has become the national card game of the United States, and its rules and jargon have become part of American culture.

The goal of poker is to win the pot, or the sum of all bets placed during a hand. A player must place chips in the pot, called a “pot size,” before he can bet again. He may call, raise, or fold. When a player calls, he is committing to match the amount of money that the player before him raised. If he folds, he is out of the hand.

If you have a strong hand, you can raise the pot size and force weaker hands to call. This is known as “bet sizing.” If you are in position, you can usually raise the pot even more, since you will have more information on your opponent’s hand.

You can also increase the pot size by making a “bluff” and hoping that your opponent will call. This is known as “calling the bluff.” The best way to bluff is to use your body language and expressions to indicate that you have a strong hand.

It is important to learn how to read other players’ tells. This includes the nervous habits that many beginners exhibit, such as fiddling with their chips or a ring. It is also important to be able to read the facial expressions of your opponents. This is especially useful when deciding whether to call or raise.

The poker hand ranking system is based on the probability of getting a particular hand. The highest hand wins the pot. A high card can break ties. If no one has a high card, then the highest pair wins. A pair is two cards of the same rank, and a straight is five cards in consecutive order, regardless of suit.

A good strategy for playing poker is to play in position as much as possible. This will give you more control over the pot size and allow you to make better decisions. If you are in late position and have a marginal hand, it is usually better to check than to raise. This will prevent an aggressive player from putting too much money into the pot, and it will help you stay in the hand longer.

It is also a good idea to avoid calling any bets made by players who are in early position. This will prevent them from stealing the pot from you. If you find yourself at a bad table, ask the floor for a new one. The floor staff will be happy to help you get into a better game. Remember that patience is essential to success in poker, so take your time and wait for a situation where the odds are in your favor.