You can’t play poker well without an understanding of the rules and basic hand rankings. You also need to be able to interpret the information your opponents are giving you with their actions. This is because poker is a game of incomplete information where every move you make gives your opponent bits of data they can use to build a story about what kind of hand you’re holding.

When you’re learning to play poker, it’s important to develop quick instincts by playing and watching experienced players. This will help you to avoid making mistakes that will cost you money. When you observe how experienced players react to certain situations, try to understand what they’re looking for and how they might be exploiting your weaknesses.

As you learn more about poker, you’ll also want to consider your own playing style and how to improve it. You can study books on the subject, or you can talk with other players to get a more objective look at how your own approach to the game is working. In addition, you can always practice with friends or in online tournaments to gain more experience and refine your strategy.

Poker requires a lot of mental toughness, and you need to be willing to take some bad beats. Watch videos of Phil Ivey taking bad beats, and you’ll see how he doesn’t let it affect his confidence or attitude. You’ll also need to be able to limit your losses while increasing your wins, so it’s important to only play with money you can afford to lose.