Poker is a game of card ranking, in which you form a hand to win the pot at the end of each betting round. You do this by raising or folding according to the value of your cards and the perceived strength of your opponent’s hand. Bluffing is also an important part of the game, but should be used sparingly and with great strategic consideration. It’s best to only bluff when the pot is relatively small and when you can be fairly certain your opponent is not calling.
Your opponents are giving you bits of information by the way they play, fold, call, check and raise. These bits are used to build a story about your opponent’s strength and weakness. You can use these stories to your advantage by playing more straightforward hands with high EV, and using bluffs to make your opponents overthink and arrive at wrong conclusions.
The key to becoming a good poker player is to understand the odds and calculate your expected value (EV). Aside from learning the math, you can also improve your game by practicing and watching other players. Pay attention to their betting patterns, mood shifts and other tells. Watch for things like twitching and fiddling with their chips, as well as the amount of time they take to decide what to do. By learning to read other players, you can develop quick instincts and adjust your own strategy accordingly.