When you start playing poker, it’s important to learn the game’s basics. This includes how to make a bet, how to read other players and what tells are. These tells don’t just include nervous habits, like fiddling with a ring or shuffling cards, but can also be how a player plays their hand. Conservative players are easily bluffed and tend to fold early, while aggressive players can be bluffed into raising. Identifying how a player plays their hand can help you understand the strategy behind their bets and how much they’re likely to win.
A common mistake made by new players is to limp when they have a good hand, such as pocket kings or queens. However, limping is rarely the correct play. You should either fold or raise, not limp. By raising, you can price all the worse hands out of the pot and improve your odds of winning.
Another mistake many novices make is to overplay their strong hands. This can be counterproductive because if you bet a lot, other players will know that you have a strong hand and will often fold, leaving you to only get paid off when you do finally hit your flush or straight. By fast-playing your strong hands, you can build the pot, and potentially chase off other players who are waiting for draws that beat your hand.