Poker is a card game played by a group of players against each other. It involves a significant amount of luck, but skill is also an important factor in the long run. Players choose how to play their hands based on probability, psychology and game theory. They also decide whether to call, raise, or fold. Saying “call” means to make a bet of the same amount as the player before you, and this adds chips or cash into the pot.

You can also say “raise” to increase the size of your bet. This makes it more likely that other players will call your bet and add their own money to the pot. If you are confident that your hand is better than the other player’s, you can say “fold” and return to the next deal.

When you’re holding a strong hand, be sure to bet often and aggressively. This will build the pot and discourage players who are waiting for a draw to beat your hand. This is a good strategy for weaker hands as well, as it forces weaker players to make a decision.

It is very important to be able to play in the zone and avoid negative emotions while playing poker. Emotional players are prone to making poor decisions that will negatively impact their long term win rate. Keeping a cool head and avoiding tilt can make a huge difference in how much you win at the table.