Poker is a game of betting cards where players compete to make the best hand. It requires skill, luck and strategy.

The best way to learn poker is to play it regularly. If you have a decent bankroll and can commit to a few games, you can improve your skills very quickly.

One of the first things you should learn is how to read your opponents’ hands. This is vital for predicting their chances of winning. A good player always reads their hands carefully and makes strategic decisions based on what they know about the odds.

When playing poker, it’s important to remember that your opponent has a vested interest in making you lose money. That’s why it’s so important to not let your ego get the better of you.

You also need to learn how to bluff properly. This can be difficult, but it’s a crucial skill for winning at the game.

A player’s bluffing ability is usually determined by the strength of their starting hand and their ability to build the pot through a combination of checks and raises. A strong bluff will make your opponent fold when they think you have a weak hand or you are trying to steal the pot.

Another good rule of thumb is to never fold a hand that you can bet with. This is called sandbagging, and it can be a big mistake to make when you are faced with a flop that makes your hand less desirable than before.