Poker is a game of incomplete information. You don’t know your opponents’ cards and you don’t know what will happen on the flop, turn, or river. Each player has 2 cards, or “chips,” and the objective is to make a five card “hand” with those and the community cards. Players place a forced bet (or bring-in) in the beginning of the game, and then make raises or calls based on their assessment of the chance of winning the pot with their hand.

A successful strategy depends on a number of skills. The most important is assessing your opponent’s chances of having a strong hand on the flop. If the cards are not good enough, don’t waste your money calling every single bet – you will lose in the long run.

Another key skill is being able to bluff well. Bluffing is a powerful tool in poker, and it can be used to win small pots or force opponents out of their hands. It is a good idea to practice and watch other players’ play to develop quick instincts.

You should always have a reason for making a bet, call, or raise. This can be to gain information about your opponent’s cards, or it could be to manipulate the pot odds by building a large pot in an earlier betting round. In the end, a smart player will never just call to see what happens – they’ll call for value or bluff when necessary.