Poker is a card game in which players wager chips on the outcome of a hand. It is the most popular card game in the United States and is played in casinos, private homes, and online. It has been referred to as the national card game of the United States, and its rules and jargon are part of American culture.

To succeed at poker, a player needs to commit to smart game selection and limits. They must choose the right game variations and limits for their bankroll and find games that offer the best learning opportunity. They must also be disciplined to avoid distractions and fatigue during play.

A key skill of a good poker player is being able to read other players. This means understanding their calling range and how much they are willing to risk on a call. It is also important to recognize when an opponent is bluffing or making mistakes in their decisions, and knowing how to take advantage of these weaknesses.

If a player has a strong value hand, they should be raising it. This is to price all of the worse hands out of the pot and maximize their own chances of winning. On the other hand, if they have an average hand that isn’t worth raising, they should be folding.

A lot of players shy away from the math, but it’s an essential part of the game. This workbook will help you memorize the important formulas, internalize them, and build your intuition for things like frequencies and EV estimation.