Poker is a game of chance, but it also involves skill. The most successful players have several traits, including discipline and perseverance. They also have sharp focus and confidence in their skills, which allows them to remain calm during games. Finally, they understand that losses should be expected and handled accordingly. In addition to having these traits, good poker players know when to study and observe other players. This helps them learn from the best and adopt effective strategies.

In poker, the goal is to make the best five-card hand possible by combining your own cards with those of the other players at the table. The best hand wins the pot, and you can win multiple hands in one betting round.

To play the game, you must first purchase a certain number of chips. Each chip has a different color and value, and you must have at least 200 chips to play. The smallest chips are white and are worth the minimum ante or bet. As you advance in the game, you will acquire more colors and values. For example, a green chip might be worth 10 whites.

Once you have your chips, the betting begins. Each player acts in turn by either calling the bet or raising it. If you raise the bet, you must put more chips into the pot than any player before you. You can also choose to fold your hand and leave the table until the next deal.

Beginners should start by playing tight, which means not playing crazy hands. For instance, you should only call with the top 20% of hands in a six-player game and 15% of hands in a ten-player game. If you’re on the button, it’s even more important to play tight.

You can find out what kind of hands your opponents have by observing their actions. For example, if they check quickly, they have a weak hand. On the other hand, if they take a long time before making a bet or call, they probably have a strong one.

Another way to figure out what kind of hands your opponent has is by examining their body language. If they’re slumping or hunched over, they likely have a strong hand. On the other hand, if their eyes are closed or they’re fidgeting, they might be holding a weak hand.

A big part of winning in poker is knowing when to call or raise, and how much to bet. If you’re playing a hand with an outside straight draw, for example, you should fold if your opponent calls. Otherwise, you should call if they raise, or even bet more than they are. This strategy is called “playing the odds.” Ultimately, you should bet when your chances of winning are high and fold when they’re not. This will increase your winnings and decrease your losses.