Poker is a game where players compete for an amount of money called the pot, contributed by the players themselves. Each player makes a bet, and the players to their left must either call that bet by putting the same number of chips into the pot, or raise it. If no one calls a bet, the hand ends in a showdown, when the players reveal their cards and the winner takes the pot.
A good poker strategy requires careful thought. There are many books written on the subject, but it is important to develop your own approach to the game. The key is to maximise the value of your winning hands and minimise losses from losing ones. This is called the Min-Max philosophy.
Another important principle is to play the opponent, not your cards. Your hand is only good or bad in relation to what the other player is holding. For example, you have a pair of kings on the deal, but when your opponent holds A-A the flop comes 7-6, and your kings turn into losers 82% of the time.
Studying experienced players can expose you to different playing styles and strategies, which can expand your poker knowledge and improve your own gameplay. It is also useful to learn how other players react to certain situations, allowing you to understand what works and doesn’t work at the table and build your own instincts.