Poker is a game played between two or more players and involves betting. The object of the game is to form the best possible hand based on the card rankings and win the pot, the sum of all bets placed during one deal. This can be done by having the highest-ranking hand, or by placing a bet that no other player calls and forcing them to fold.
Generally, you will want to raise with strong hands and play defensively with medium strength hands. However, there are times when it makes sense to call with a weak hand or even bluff. This is where studying your opponents is key. You will want to look at their betting patterns, and see how often they make mistakes or go all in with nothing.
A lot of people claim to be good at reading others, and there are tons of books on it, but in poker, this is much more specific. You need to be able to read an opponent’s mood, body language, and how they handle their chips. It’s also important to study the bet sizes of your opponents and understand their position.
When you’re playing at a low level, it’s important to preserve your bankroll and stay committed to improving your game. You can do this by finding a group of people who play poker at your skill level and talking through hands with them. This will allow you to improve your game much faster than just trying to practice on your own.