Poker is a card game played between two or more players and involves betting with chips. The objective is to form a five-card hand and win the pot. There are many variants of the game, but they all require skill and strategy to win.

A good poker player must be mentally tough. Winning and losing is part of the game, but successful players learn from their losses and don’t let them discourage them. Watch videos of Phil Ivey, for example, and note how he never gets upset about bad beats.

In addition to studying strategy, a good poker player must have the physical stamina to play long sessions. They must also commit to smart game selection – playing in games that aren’t profitable will only result in money lost.

One of the keys to a strong poker hand is being able to read your opponent’s betting patterns and tells. A skilled poker player will be able to identify conservative players who fold early and aggressive players who are likely to risk their stacks.

An ante is a small bet that all players must contribute before a hand begins. Antes increase the value of a pot and encourage players to bet more aggressively. In some games, antes are collected by the dealer, who will then place them in the center of the table to start betting. In other games, the antes are collected by the player to the left of the dealer.