Poker is a game of chance, but it also relies on skill. It’s about reading the other players in a hand and making decisions based on what you see. It’s about watching for tells, which are things like fidgeting, adjusting a watch, or even a smile that can give away your intention to bluff.

As you learn to read the other players, you’ll develop a better understanding of the game and its strategy. This will improve your decision-making skills, as you’ll be able to weigh risks and rewards in a more rational way. It will also help you understand probability and statistics, which can be useful in other areas of your life.

The more you play, the more you’ll develop your own style and strategy. The best poker players are constantly learning and improving, and they’re always looking for an edge. They’re also willing to lose hands on bad beats and work on their mental game to improve.

You’ll also learn the importance of bankroll management, which will protect you from variance. This is the only way to prepare for variance, and it will ensure that when you have a losing session, you’ll still be able to continue playing. This will prevent you from throwing good money after bad, and it will make you a more resilient player.