Poker is a game of skill, but luck also plays a big role. Even the best players will lose some hands, and a bad beat can crush the confidence of a beginner. If you’re new to poker, the key is to learn the rules and play smart games. You must also commit to improving your skills and be patient.

To make money at poker, you must be able to read the other players and their tells. Observe other players and look for nervous habits, like fiddling with their chips or wearing a ring. These are tells that you can pick up on to determine what kind of hand they have. You can also observe how they play their cards and when they make a bet, and learn to recognize their bluffs.

In addition to learning the game, you should also know how to manage your bankroll. This means playing in the appropriate limits for your budget, and only participating in profitable games. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the game, and you can easily spend more than your budget allows. To avoid this, be sure to set a limit for your winnings before each session.

It’s also important to be a good listener at the table. If you’re not listening, you’ll miss important information that could help you win. For example, you’ll miss out on a read when an opponent calls a bet, or when someone else raises your own bet. Listening will also allow you to see what your opponents are holding, which will help you decide whether to call or fold.

One of the most important aspects of poker is determining what kind of hand you should play. You should always play a hand with some sort of value, even if it’s not a great one. For example, a pair of jacks is not a good hand to play, but a straight or a flush will be much more valuable. The best way to determine what hand you should play is to study the preflop ranges of the top pros.

While you can play other skill games for fun, with no real money at risk, it’s hard to enjoy poker without the element of stakes. Starting at the lowest limits lets you practice your strategy versus weaker players, and as your skills improve, you can gradually move up in stakes. Eventually, you can join the ranks of professional players who earn millions of dollars per year from this exciting game. But even the most successful poker players had to start somewhere, so don’t give up if your first few sessions aren’t profitable. Just keep learning and practicing, and you’ll soon be winning big! And don’t forget to have fun!