Poker is a card game played with a standard deck of 52 cards (though some games add jokers). There are four suits — spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs — and the highest hand wins.

Poker strategy is a complex blend of probability, psychology, and game theory, but the best players share a few key characteristics: They’re patient, read other players well, and know how to adapt to situations. They also commit to smart game selection, playing only those games that will earn them the most money over the long haul.

The first step in learning poker is understanding the rules and terminology. Here’s a quick rundown of some common terms you’ll encounter:

Ante

A small bet that all players must place before the hands are dealt. An ante gives the pot value right away, and it’s important to place your bets with that in mind.

Position

Getting the best position in the hand is critical, as it allows you to control the size of the pot and make more profit. Playing out of position can cost you a lot, especially when your opponent is an aggressive player who bets hard preflop.

Bluffing

The ability to bluff effectively is a crucial skill in poker, but it’s not always necessary. The best players know how to evaluate an opponent’s bets and read their facial expressions to spot weak hands. They’re not afraid to bet big when they have a strong hand and they’re often able to bluff their way into winning the pot.

High card

In some cases, the highest card wins a tie. This typically occurs when two players have the same pair, three of a kind, or straight, but not all. A high card is usually a royal, but sometimes it can be another suit like the ace of spades or the jack of clubs.

Stacks

A term used to describe a player’s cards in their hand, such as four of a kind or a full house. Stacks are a good indicator of how much you have to spend to win the hand.

To bluff successfully, you have to get your opponents to call you on your weaker hands. To do this, you need to understand your opponents’ betting patterns and categorize them as either conservative or aggressive. Aggressive players are risk-takers that bet early in the hand, while conservative players tend to fold early and can be bluffed into folding. You can use this information to create more effective bluffing tactics. You can also increase your bet size by saying “raise” to entice players into the pot. They can then choose to call your raise, fold, or check.