A good poker player will have a number of skills, including discipline and perseverance. He or she will also need to commit to smart game selection and choose the right limits for his or her bankroll. A good poker player will also learn to recognize and read tells from opponents. This means paying attention to things such as the player’s eye movements, idiosyncratic hand gestures and betting patterns. It’s important to learn these things, as they can often indicate what kind of hands a player is holding.

It’s also important to understand how pot value works. In poker, money is placed into the pot voluntarily by players who either believe the bet has positive expected value or are trying to bluff other players for various strategic reasons. There are several different forms of poker, but a good strategy for each should revolve around the principles of pot equity and position.

There are some poker hands that are better than others, and it’s important to play them in the correct way. For example, a pair of Kings should be played aggressively. By raising as the first player to act, you’ll create a larger pot and make it more difficult for your opponent to call on later streets with a weaker hand.

When you’re in late position, it’s also helpful to exercise pot control. If you’re facing an opponent who likes to raise preflop, try to bet more frequently so that you can increase the size of your pot and make it more difficult for him or her to play back at you.