In poker, players place money into the pot voluntarily and for various strategic reasons. They do this by betting and raising their hands in the hopes of improving them on the flop, turn, or river. These moves are based on a combination of math, psychology, and game theory.

Those who are good at poker can calculate pot odds and percentages quickly. They also have the patience to wait for optimal hands and proper position. They are able to read other players and adapt their strategy to their opponents. In addition, they know when to quit a game and try again another day.

One of the most important skills is understanding how to put your opponent on a range. This means judging his or her betting patterns, eye movements, idiosyncrasies, and other tells to determine what kind of hand he or she is holding.

Another vital skill is knowing how to fold a weak hand. A weak hand is defined as two unsuited cards both below seven, such as 2-7 or 3-6. A strong hand is a pair of kings or queens, or a high-card straight.

Finally, a good poker player knows when to take control of the table and assert his or her dominance. If he or she has an excellent opening hand, such as a pair of kings or queens, it is important to bet aggressively and make players pay to see those low-cards on the flop, turn, or river.