Poker is a card game where players bet money into the pot by calling or raising. The player with the highest hand wins the pot at the end of each betting round. In addition to learning the basics of the game, you can improve your skills by playing in the right games, managing your bankroll, networking with other players, and studying bet sizes and position.

One of the most important skills to develop is the ability to read other players and watch for tells. These aren’t just the obvious things like fiddling with chips or wearing a ring, but also their body language and overall mannerisms. For example, someone who has been calling all night and then raises suddenly may be holding an unbeatable hand.

The next stage is to learn how to read the board and other players’ actions. For example, if an opponent is checking, this means that they have a weak or mediocre hand. In this case, it’s best to raise and give them a chance to fold.

Another skill to work on is understanding ranges. This is a technique used by more experienced players to figure out what hands their opponents have. This is done by working out the range of possible cards that the opponent could have, and analyzing how likely it is that your hand beats theirs. This is a very difficult skill to master, but it can help you be more successful in the long run.