If you’re new to poker, you may be surprised to learn that there is actually a lot of skill involved in the game. While poker is primarily a card game, the betting phase adds a level of psychology and strategy that can make the difference between winning and losing.

The first step to becoming a good poker player is learning the basic rules of the game. A few rules to remember include:

Don’t Get Too Attached to Good Hands

It’s important to realize that poker is often not about how good or bad your hand is. Rather, it’s about what the other players are holding. For example, pocket kings can be great hands but if the other guy is on A-A and the flop comes 10-8-6 then your kings are losers 82% of the time. This is why it’s vital to pay attention to the other players and their actions in order to gain a better understanding of the overall situation.

Study Experienced Players

Watching experienced players can also help you improve your own game. By observing their actions, you can analyze what they did right and incorporate their successful moves into your own gameplay. It’s also a great way to pick up on “tells,” which are the little things that reveal a person’s emotions and intentions during a hand. This information can be incredibly helpful in determining whether or not to call a certain bet. For example, if an experienced player you play with is fiddling with their chips or wearing a ring, it’s likely that they are holding a strong hand and don’t want to reveal it.