In poker, your goal is to form a high-ranking hand based on the cards you have and win the pot at the end of each betting round. The pot is the total of all bets placed by players at the table. You can also win the pot by calling other players’ bets with a bluff and forcing them to fold.

Poker is a game of skill, and it takes a lot of commitment to improve. Several skills are essential for success, including discipline, perseverance, and focus. You should commit to smart game selection and limits for your bankroll, as well as practice and hone your strategy over time. You should also make sure to play in games that are profitable, as opposed to those just for fun.

Another important aspect of the game is learning how to read your opponents. This includes analyzing physical tells and their betting patterns. It’s also helpful to understand Game Theory Optimal (GTO) play, an approach/strategy that uses balanced ranges and mathematical-based models.

Besides Texas Hold’em, there are many other poker variations. Badugi is one popular variant that’s been around for a long time, and it has spawned a couple of other fun variants such as badacey and badeucey, which are both a combination of badugi and 2-7 lowball. These are split pot games, with half the pot going to the best Badugi hand and the other half to the best lowball hand. You can also find some mixed games that combine two or more poker varieties.