Poker is played from a standard pack of 52 cards (though some games add jokers as wild cards). Cards are ranked (from high to low) Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10, 9, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2. Each player makes a poker hand by using the five cards in his or her possession. The highest poker hand wins.

Poker requires more than just luck to be successful, though. You also need to know your strategy, bet sizes and position. Developing all of these skills takes time and practice, but it can be done with commitment and hard work. Some players have even written whole books about particular strategies that they believe will help them win.

One of the most important things to learn is how to read your opponents. This is a general skill, and there are many books and articles that explain the importance of reading other people’s body language and facial expressions, among other things. In poker, this involves noticing specific tells like eye movements and idiosyncrasies. It’s helpful to watch videos of professionals like Phil Ivey taking bad beats, as well.

When you’re dealt a good poker hand, it’s important to play it aggressively. This means raising the pot if possible. If you’re playing a six-player game, this may mean betting the maximum amount that the table allows.