Poker is a game that requires a great deal of skill and discipline. It is also a test and a window into human nature. Players are constantly tempted by their own human nature to deviate from their plan and make bad calls or ill-advised bluffs. If you want to be a force at your table, then you have to put in the work and stay focused on your plan even when it is boring or frustrating.
The first thing to remember is that you should never bet unless you have a strong hand. This is a very common mistake that many players make and it will almost always cost them money in the long run. Whether you are playing online or in a casino, it is very important to know when your hand is strong enough to call a bet. If you can’t, then fold!
You should also be aware of your position at the table and bet based on this. A player who is first to act is in a much better position than one who is late in the action because they have a better idea of what everyone else has and can see any mistakes that others might make.
When you do decide to call a bet, then make sure that your bet is large enough to scare off other players. Bet sizing is an extremely complex process and can take into account things like previous betting, the number of players in the hand, stack depth, pot odds and more. Mastering it takes time, but once you do it will be a huge advantage for you.
Another aspect of the game that you need to be aware of is the fact that most hands are losers in the long run. This is because of the law of averages and the fact that most people will play too conservatively and/or bluff when they have weak hands.
Lastly, you should learn how to read other players and look for their tells. These include but are not limited to things such as the way they fiddle with their chips, how they use their body language and other little nuances that can give away the strength of their hand.
When you do have a good hand, it is important to be aggressive and not to overplay it. This can lead to disaster, especially when a player with a worse hand calls your bets and makes you look silly. The other players at the table will then begin to question your hands and you will lose the confidence that you need to be a winning player.