When playing poker you must know the basic rules and how to play your hand. This is important as it will allow you to make better decisions and play your cards more effectively. Unlike many other card games, poker is a game where players can not win by just guessing or using a chance. It requires logical and critical thinking. This enables the player to make a firm strategy for achieving victory.

You must also be aware of relative hand strength in order to play your hand well. This is a key factor in determining whether to call or raise during a betting round. For example, if you have pocket kings or queens and an ace comes on the board it can spell disaster for your hand. So you must be wary of playing these type of hands unless you have the best overall poker hand.

Another important skill that you must learn in poker is how to read your opponents. This is especially vital if you want to be successful at bluffing. You must be able to classify your opponent into one of four basic player types. These include LAG’s, TAG’s, LP Fish and Super tight Nits. Once you have a good understanding of these player types, you can then exploit them.