Poker is a game of chance, but it’s also a game of math, psychology, and strategy. To become a successful player, you need to learn as much as possible about your opponents and how to play your cards. Luckily, there are many resources available to help you improve your game. There are countless forums and Discord channels, hundreds of poker software programs, and a seemingly endless number of books that can be read. However, with all of the information out there, it can be difficult to know where to start.

It is essential to understand that your poker hand’s value is only relative to the other players at the table. A pair of kings is great in some situations, but horrible in others. For example, if you hold K-K and the other player checks before the flop with 8-4, your odds of winning drop to only 17%. The best way to increase your chances of winning is to bet aggressively to push weaker hands out of the pot.

It is also important to be able to read your opponents and pick up on their tells. This includes things like their eye movements, idiosyncrasies, betting behavior, and more. A player who frequently calls and then makes a huge raise may be holding an unbeatable hand.