Poker is a popular card game in many countries around the world. It has several variants, each of which has its own rules and betting intervals.

The basic rule of poker is that each player has a pair of cards, and must make the best hand. When two players have the same hand, the one with the higher rank wins the pot.

This can be achieved by forming a straight, flush, full house or quads. If a hand is tied, the cards outside break ties according to the High Card rules.

Using ranges to improve your hand is a key skill for poker players to master. This involves figuring out what hands other players could have and then making a more educated decision on whether you should raise or call.

To get started, you should study the different types of hands that other players can have and learn their tells (eye movements, idiosyncrasies, hand gestures etc). Once you understand these tells, it will be much easier to figure out what your opponents might be holding, so you can make more informed decisions.

Another important aspect of poker strategy is learning to play in position. This means acting before your opponent and letting them see your hand, allowing you to gain insights into their hand strength. This can be a great way to increase your win-rate and reduce your losses.