Poker is a card game played by two or more people, with the object of winning the pot, which is the total of all bets made during a single deal. A player can win the pot by having a high-ranking poker hand or by deceiving opponents with bluffs. There are many different forms of poker, with rules and strategies varying by game.

To be a good poker player, you need to have several skills. First, you need to be mentally tough. Watch videos on YouTube of Phil Ivey taking bad beats, and note how he doesn’t let the losses shake his confidence. You need to play smartly and consistently, choosing the proper limits and game variations for your bankroll. And you need to know when to be aggressive, especially late into events.

Another skill to learn is how to read the tells of other players. When a player is trying to deceive you, you can read the body language and tone of voice to see what they are hiding. You should also shuffle the cards often to make sure that your opponents can’t figure out what you have. If they can tell what you have, your bluffs won’t work and your winning hands will never happen.