In the age of internet poker, there is no shortage of information to help you improve your game. There are forums, Discord channels, FB groups and countless poker programs to help you learn and practice. In addition to these resources, there are a number of books that can provide you with the foundation for becoming a better player.

Poker can be a very challenging game. It demands a great deal of attention and the ability to think about situations in an objective and mathematical way. It also involves dealing with other people, and it’s important to understand their reasoning and motivation. Poker can be a window into human nature, and it can teach you to see things about yourself and others that you might not have noticed before.

The first step is to study the rules and understand what hands beat each other. There are some simple charts you can look up, but this is a fundamental skill that you’ll need to learn. You’ll want to be able to quickly tell what two cards you have, what kind of pair they are (such as three of a kind), and what kind of straight or flush you have (five consecutive cards of the same rank). Once you’ve mastered these basics, you can begin to play your best poker. However, it’s still important to remember that luck is a huge part of the game, and it can make or break even the most disciplined and skilled player.