A poker game is played by a group of players around a table with their own stacks of chips. The goal is to win money by placing bets into a pot that other players choose to call or fold. While the outcome of any individual hand significantly involves chance, long-run expectations are determined by decisions made by players on the basis of probability, psychology, and game theory.

The highest poker hand is the Royal Flush (Ace, K, Q, J, and 10 of the same suit). Other high-value hands include Four of a Kind; Straight; Three of a Kind; Pair; and High Card. If a player has two pairs of cards of different rank, the higher pair wins. If all players have the same pair, the winnings are shared.

If a player has a strong, premium opening hand such as a pair of Kings or Queens, they should bet aggressively to psyche out weaker opponents and take control of the pot. They should also watch their opponents closely and learn their tells – unconscious habits that reveal information about a player’s hands, such as eye movements, facial expressions, body language, gestures and betting behavior.

If they can, players should always play in position. This allows them to see more of the board and have more control over the size of the pot. It also helps them avoid being caught in a trap by aggressive opponents who raise their bets when they have only a marginal hand.