Poker is a card game in which players form hands and bet, aiming to win the pot. The higher your hand, the more money you can make.
You need to be able to quickly read your opponents to make the right decisions in poker. This is known as reading the player and it’s a fundamental part of the game. A lot of the time this is done by observing subtle physical tells such as scratching your nose or playing nervously with your chips but there are also patterns that can be picked up. For example if a player calls all the time then you can assume they are only playing fairly strong hands.
Whenever possible try to limit the number of players you are up against. This is better for your chances of winning and will help you to minimize risk. If you have good cards pre-flop, then bet often to build the pot and chase off those waiting for a draw that will beat yours.
Many of the best players in the world never show emotion at the table, which is a sign of mental toughness. Take a look at some videos of Phil Ivey and you’ll see what we mean. It’s not always easy to stay calm after a bad beat, but this is an important element of the game that every good poker player should learn. If you have the right mentality, then the luck will eventually follow you.