Poker is a game of chance, but it also relies on psychology and skill. While the cards you draw will certainly make or break your hand, players can control the size of the pot by deciding to raise, call, or fold. This is where the player’s knowledge of probability, psychology, and game theory come into play.

Another aspect of poker is reading your opponents. This doesn’t mean interpreting their body language like in a movie, but understanding what they are trying to accomplish and why they are doing it. By learning to read your opponents, you can adjust your strategy and make better calls. This skill will not only improve your poker performance, but it will help you in other aspects of life as well.

The other thing that poker teaches you is patience. You will be forced to sit through countless losing sessions before you become a winning player. This can be very frustrating, but it is necessary for the development of your skills. When you do have a good session, it will feel like a breath of fresh air. Learning to be patient in poker will teach you how to remain calm when the chips are down.

It is important to learn how to play your strong value hands as often as possible, as this will give you the best odds of winning the game. If you’re able to do this, then you will be able to avoid making bad calls and will not be giving your opponent chances to improve their hands against you.