Poker is a card game that is played between two or more players. The object is to form the best hand based on the ranks of the cards, and win the pot at the end of each betting round. The pot is the sum of all bets made by the players, and can be won by either having the highest hand, or by placing a bet that no other player calls, forcing them to fold.

As a thinking game, poker requires players to make decisions quickly and under pressure. In addition, it helps develop quick math skills, as players must calculate probabilities like implied odds and pot odds to decide whether to call or raise a bet. These skills are essential in business, and the more poker a person plays, the better they will become at them.

It also teaches players how to read other people, both verbally and nonverbally. For instance, a good poker player will be able to spot when an opponent is stressed, bluffing, or happy with their hand, and use that information to adjust their strategy on the fly. This ability to read people is a valuable skill in many areas of life, from a job interview to leading a group.

Finally, poker teaches players how to improve their game through self-examination and practice. By studying their own results and those of their opponents, a player can identify areas of their game that need improvement. This self-examination can take many forms, from reviewing their own notes to discussing their play with other players.