Poker is a card game that requires skill. The most successful players can calculate pot odds and percentages, recognize the optimal moments to fold, and adapt their strategies. They are also adept at reading other players’ behavior and avoiding cognitive biases that lead to bad decisions.

The aim of the game is to make a five-card hand. The highest-ranking hand is a royal flush, which consists of a 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit. Other common hands are a straight, four of a kind, and a pair. A straight consists of five consecutive cards in the same suit, while a four of a kind is made up of three matching cards and two unmatched cards. A pair is two cards of the same rank, while a full house is three matching cards and one unmatched card.

After the first round of betting is complete, the dealer reveals four community cards on the table. This phase is called the flop. At this point, the players must decide whether to hit, check, raise, or fold. The player with the highest-ranked hand wins the pot.

In addition to knowing when to call or raise, it’s important to know when to fold. It’s tempting to stick around for the hope of a better hand, but this will cost you money in the long run. Instead, focus on making smart calls based on your understanding of other players’ tendencies and bet sizes.