Poker is a card game where each player bets on the strength of his or her hand. The player who has the highest hand wins. While the outcome of a particular hand depends on chance, a good player can minimize risk by making smart bets that maximize expected value based on probability, psychology, and game theory.

Players have incomplete information about their opponents’ hands and must decide whether to call, check, raise, or fold. Each action communicates bits of information, and an opponent can piece together a story about your playstyle. For example, if a player calls your bet, he or she likely has a strong hand. If a player checks, he or she probably has a weak hand. If a player raises a bet, he or she likely has an excellent hand.

It takes a lot of discipline to stick with a winning strategy, especially when bad luck strikes. But that’s exactly what separates the pros from the amateurs. If you want to win at poker, you must commit to a well-rounded strategy and stay disciplined even when your emotions threaten to derail you. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available to help you develop your strategy. Many professional players write books about their own strategies, but it’s also possible to develop a strategy through careful self-examination and by discussing your play with fellow poker players. The best players also constantly tweak their strategies to improve their results.