Poker is a card game in which players bet into a common pot. The object is to make the highest-ranking hand and win the pot. There are many different variations of poker, but in most forms of the game the players must first ante something (the amount varies by game). When it is their turn to act, they may raise or call the bet made by the player before them.

As with most card games, there are several skills required to be a successful poker player. Some of the most important include patience, reading other players and developing strategies. A good poker player must also commit to proper game selection, selecting the limits and game variation that are most profitable for their bankroll. In addition, the best poker players know when to quit a game.

New players tend to be too timid about playing trashy hands. They often miss out on opportunities to make great hands by calling weak bets and failing to fire on the flop when they have strong ones. A strong hand should be raised frequently to price out the worse hands and make it expensive for opponents to call. This is a much better strategy than simply limping, which can cause you to miss out on valuable opportunities.