Poker is a card game that can be played by two to seven players. It uses a standard 52-card English deck and may use one or more jokers/wild cards as well. It can be played for fun or for real money. The game requires good decision-making and strategic thinking as well as strong math skills. It also improves a player’s social skills.

A big part of a poker player’s success depends on being able to assess the quality of their hand. This is what helps them decide whether to call or fold. A big part of the game is also about reading other players’ tells (e.g., a player who frequently calls despite not having a great hand may be bluffing or trying to trap other players into calling his raise).

As a result of playing poker regularly, a player will often become better at mental arithmetic. This is particularly helpful in situations where multiple factors are at play and a lot of information needs to be analyzed quickly.

The best way to learn the game is by talking it out with other players. Find players who are winning at the stakes you’re playing at and start a group chat or meet weekly to discuss tough spots. This will allow you to see how other players are approaching these types of decisions and will likely give you some valuable insight into your own strategy. You can also read strategy books or try to find players in your local area who are open to discussing their thought process with other players.