A good poker player needs to have several skills in order to be successful. They must be committed to achieving success through hard work and discipline, as well as having a sharp focus on the game. They also need to make smart decisions regarding limit and game selection in order to maximize profitability.

When playing poker, you must be able to read your opponents and understand their actions. Every fold, call, check, and raise tells a story about your opponent’s hand. These stories can give you clues about whether your opponent has a strong or weak hand.

Once each player has 2 cards, a round of betting begins. This is initiated by 2 mandatory bets called blinds put into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. A player who wants to stay in the pot must match the amount raised by the last player or fold.

If the player to your right raises, you can say “call” and place chips or cash into the pot to match the previous raise. You can also raise the amount of your own bet, which is known as a re-raise.

The best way to play poker is with an opening range that includes a mix of weak and strong hands. The later your position is in the betting, the more information you’ll have about your opponents’ hands before they act. This allows you to adjust your strategy accordingly and win more money.