Poker is a card game where the aim is to use your cards to create a high-value hand and/or convince other players that you have the best hand. While the game involves a significant amount of luck, successful poker players make strategic choices based on probability, psychology, and game theory.

One of the first things a new player should focus on is learning the rules of the game. There are a number of different variations of poker, but most of them share a similar core set of rules. The most popular variation is Texas Hold’em, which is the version played in the major casinos and on TV.

Once you’ve got a handle on the basics, it’s time to start working on your strategy. The most important thing to remember is that you should play as few hands as possible. Over-playing is a surefire way to bleed yourself out and expose yourself to big bets from opponents with strong hands.

Another essential skill is understanding the importance of ranges. Unlike many new players, who try to put an opponent on a specific hand, experienced players will work out the entire range of hands that an opponent could have and then calculate how likely it is that their hand beats yours.

Another important aspect of strategy is folding when necessary. A common mistake made by new players is to limp when they have a strong hand. This is a bad strategy because it allows weaker hands to call, and leaves you exposed to calls from opponents who are trying to chase their draws. A better option is to raise, which will often price out weaker hands and allow you to collect more money from the pot.