Poker is a card game in which players wager money or chips against other players and the house. The game has a large number of variants, but all of them share certain characteristics. Typically, each player begins the game by buying in for a set amount of chips. The most common chip value is the white chip, worth a minimum ante or bet; a red chip is usually worth five whites; and a blue chip is often worth 10 or 20 whites.
The goal of poker is to form the highest-value hand from your personal cards and the community cards on the table. The highest-value hands are Royal Flush (Jack-Queen-King-Ace of the same suit), Four of a Kind, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, and a High Card.
Good poker players must possess several skills to be successful. They need to have discipline and perseverance, as well as sharp focus. They also need to choose the right limits and game variations for their bankroll. And they must learn to read their opponents, which requires observing things like mood shifts and body language.
Another essential skill is knowing when to call or raise. When it is your turn to act, you should always try to call the most recent bet. Otherwise, you risk giving up too much money on a weak hand. This is especially important in pot-limit games. You can also use your position to your advantage when bluffing.