The game of poker involves both skill and luck. You have to be willing to take risks for possible ultimate reward, and to accept that you’ll win some hands and lose others. If you are not able to handle the ups and downs, you should not play poker. Having said that, it’s also important to understand that the majority of your poker fortune will be determined by how well you play your cards in the context of the situation. That means that you must be able to fold when the odds are not in your favour, and to play aggressively when the odds are.

To be a good poker player, you need to read your opponents. You can do this by watching their body language and looking for tells (non-verbal cues such as fiddling with chips or wearing a ring). Beginners should also learn to watch for bluffing tendencies. If your opponent is making lots of calls and raises, they are probably holding a strong hand.

It is recommended to find some poker books and study them regularly. You should also join a poker club or find some players that are winning at your level and talk about the tough spots with them. This will help you to understand the game better and improve your decision-making.