Poker is a card game where players make bets with chips, and try to win the pot (all of the bets made) by making the best five card “hand”. It’s a game of incomplete information – you don’t know what cards your opponents have. Therefore, the ability to make accurate probabilistic estimates is important. It’s also important to understand how to read other players and pick up on their tells.

The most successful poker players have a strong level of emotional stability and control. The game can be a whirlwind of emotions from one moment to the next, and it’s important to stay in control and not let your emotions get out of control. The mental skills needed to play poker can be applied to many other aspects of life, from preparing for job interviews to managing relationships.

A key aspect of poker is knowing when to be aggressive. A top player will often raise with strong hands, rather than limping – this builds the pot and chases off other players who have weaker hands. However, it’s important to know how to balance aggression with position and bet wisely. If you bet too much, your opponents will pick up on your tells and start to call you more frequently.

The game is rapidly growing in India, with a large number of online and brick-and-mortar casinos opening. More and more people are choosing to make a career of the game, and this has led to a sharp rise in the standard of play across the country.