If you break poker down to its basics, the game essentially revolves around playing cards against other players over a series of betting rounds. A player’s goal is to make the best five-card hand, and he or she can choose whether to call, raise, or fold when assessing their hand against the other players.

The best players possess several skills, including patience, reading other players, and adaptability. They understand the rules of poker, and can calculate pot odds and percentages quickly and quietly. They also know how to manage their bankroll and play the right games for their skill level.

A player’s position at the table is another key element of successful poker play. Position gives you “bluff equity,” and lets you make accurate value bets when it’s your turn to act. It’s important to be able to read your opponents and watch for tells, which include things like fiddling with their chips or a ring, mood shifts, and how long they take to make decisions.

Ultimately, poker is a deception game. If your opponents always know what you have, you’ll never be able to beat them with a strong hand or catch them bluffing. That’s why it’s important to mix up your playing style and use a variety of tells. Then, your opponents will have to guess which hand you have, and your bluffs will have more chance of success.