Many players think poker is a game of pure chance, and while the outcome of any particular hand definitely involves luck, there is a significant amount of skill involved as well. Players make decisions on the basis of probability, psychology and game theory. They choose to raise, call, or fold based on their expectations of the opponent’s actions. In the long run, these actions lead to winnings or losses.

While playing poker requires a good amount of knowledge of probability and psychology, there are also some basic rules that must be followed to prevent cheating or being cheated by other players. For example, a player is not allowed to place chips into the pot without raising it first. The holder of the highest card wins the pot, and in the case of a tie the winning cards are determined by the order that they were revealed. A player must also keep accurate records and pay taxes on their gambling winnings if they are playing for real money.

In the long run, it is a good idea to avoid calling any bets that have negative expected value. This is particularly true for players in a weak position. For example, if your opponent has a high hand and you have a weak one, it is usually better to fold than to call a bet that will only lead to losing your own money.

Another key rule is to play the player, not your cards. This means that your hands are only good or bad in relation to what the other players have. For example, a pair of pocket kings may seem like a strong hand but if the other player has an ace on the flop they will lose 82% of the time.

Getting to know the other players at the table is very important when playing poker. The best way to do this is to watch them closely and learn their tendencies. For example, you can usually tell when a player is holding a good hand by their facial expression and body language. A player with a smile on their face will be happy, while a frown is a sign of a bad hand.

You should also pay close attention to the betting patterns of other players. A player who makes a lot of bets is probably bluffing. On the other hand, a player who calls a lot of bets will most likely have a strong hand. This information can be very useful when making decisions at the table. Lastly, it is important to play in position as much as possible. This will give you a much greater advantage over your opponents. This is because you will be able to check and see what the other players have before making your decision. In addition, you will be able to control the size of the pot and minimize your risk by only playing strong hands in late position. This will also help you to avoid making bad decisions when holding a marginal hand.