Poker is a card game that requires players to make decisions under pressure. The game also involves deception, which is often used to induce opponents to act differently than they otherwise would. Bluffing is a common example of deception in poker. It is a strategy where players who have weak hands bet strongly in the hope that it will force opponents with stronger “made” hands to fold.

One of the most important aspects of poker is analyzing your opponent’s behavior. While you can’t see their cards, you can analyze how they play the game by watching them and observing their body language. You can also study their betting patterns. Over time you should be able to determine what types of hands your opponents usually have. You can then adjust your strategy accordingly.

Another essential aspect of poker is understanding the concept of ranges. While new players will try to put their opponents on a specific hand, more experienced players will work out the range of hands that their opponent could have and then evaluate how likely it is that they will have a better hand than yours.

One of the most important aspects of poker is knowing when to be aggressive. If you play early positions, you will be in a position where your opponents can easily re-raise you, so you should only raise when you have a good chance of winning the pot. If you don’t have a good hand, you should check or fold.