Poker is a game of cards that involves chance and skill. It has a long history and continues to grow in popularity worldwide. Despite being a game of chance, it is possible to learn some basic principles that can help you become a better player and maximize your profits.
Often, the difference between break-even beginner players and big-time winners has very little to do with skill or luck. Instead, the difference has a lot to do with changing how you view the game and viewing it in a more cold, detached, mathematical and logical way than you currently do.
One of the most important things to remember when playing poker is that your hand is only good or bad relative to what other players are holding. For instance, if you hold A-K while another player has J-J and the flop comes A-J-5, your pair of kings will lose 82% of the time!
Another important thing to keep in mind is that you should always be looking for tells. A tell is any behavior that gives away your strength in a hand. This can include fidgeting with chips, staring at the ground or making a gesture with your arms. Learn to spot these tells and use them to your advantage.