Poker is a game of chance, but it also requires a lot of math and psychology. It is a mind game that helps players to develop critical thinking skills and improves concentration levels. It is an interesting game that also helps players to become more social as it brings people from all walks of life and backgrounds together.
The goal of the game is to form a winning poker hand based on the card rankings and win the pot (a sum of all bets placed by players) at the end of each betting round. Each player must put an initial amount into the pot called antes, blinds or bring-ins before being dealt cards. Players then place bets into the pot, typically in clockwise order.
When you are in a strong poker hand and want to raise, be sure to have a purpose. Do you want to bluff, value bet or both? This way you will make more money on your bets. You must have a plan before you call or raise, otherwise you will be wasting your hard earned chips!
It is important to focus on your opponent’s tendencies and read them. Look for their body language, how they check, what they call and raise. This will help you to figure out their range and give you an edge in the game.