There is a lot of skill involved in poker. And while luck will always play a role, it’s possible to increase your chances of winning by learning as much as you can about the game and how to play it well.
Start out conservatively. This will help you gain confidence, observe player tendencies, and avoid dumping too much money. Then as you get more experience open your hand ranges up and mix your play up a little. Eventually you’ll start to bet more, and then you’ll have more opportunity to learn how to read other players.
Be careful not to get too attached to good hands. The most important thing is to know your opponent’s range and to adjust accordingly. For example, pockets kings or queens are terrific poker cards but an ace on the flop will often spell disaster for you if your opponent’s range is weighted toward hands that don’t have showdown value.
Don’t get too attached to your own hand either, but don’t be afraid to fold when you shouldn’t. The law of averages tells us that most poker hands are losers and you should never waste your time and money chasing a draw that won’t make you any money in the long run. Finally, when you do have a strong hand don’t be afraid to bet big. This will force your opponent to call your bets more often and give you some bluffing equity. Then you can ramp up your aggression and go after the poker pot.