Poker is a card game where players place chips (representing money) into the pot before each betting round, and aim to make the best 5 card hand using their own two cards and the five community cards on the table. The highest ranking hand is a pair, followed by a straight, flush, or full house. High card breaks ties.

After the deal, there is a round of betting (called the flop) – a minimum bet of 2 mandatory bets called blinds are put into the pot by players to the left of the dealer. Then one more card is dealt, this is the turn.

A tight player is someone who only plays good hands and avoids bluffing with weak ones. This strategy is more profitable than playing loose, which involves risking a lot of money on weak hands and can lead to big losses.

Keeping your poker skills sharp is an important part of improving your game. Some ways to do this include reading and practicing new poker hands. You should also practice your bluffing and be aware of your opponents’ betting patterns.

To get an idea of your opponent’s betting tendencies, try to read their body language. You can find out what they are thinking by their posture, facial expressions, and gestures. These are known as tells. You can also learn to spot these tells by studying poker books and videos. A well-written poker book will have a good mix of theory and practical examples.