In poker, as in life, the ability to weight risks against rewards is key. This is not to imply that you should never take any risk, but rather that you should always try to maximize the value of your chances at success.
The game of poker is a fascinating window into human nature. A good player is able to extract signals from his or her opponents and use them to exploit them. This is particularly true when playing online, where in-person cues like eye contact and body language are unavailable.
A lot of money is lost in poker when players make bad calls and ill-advised bluffs. These mistakes happen because humans are susceptible to temptation.
There are also times when the best move is to just fold. Whether the cards aren’t perfect or you don’t have the kicker to make your flush, sometimes it just makes sense to let the hand go. It may sting to miss out on the turn or river, but you’ll save yourself a huge amount of money in the long run.
One of the most difficult things to learn about poker is how to handle bad beats. It is important to remember that luck will bolster or tank even the best players. This is why it is important to stick to your strategy, even when it’s boring or frustrating.
