Whether you play poker as a hobby or professionally, you should always strive to make the most money possible during each session. That means playing only when you have a good chance of making a profit and choosing game types, limits and rules that fit your bankroll and skill level. It also requires patience and discipline. Getting frustrated or bored during games is not only unproductive, but can lead to costly mistakes that reduce your chances of success.

Despite variations in rules and betting rounds, all poker games boil down to dealing cards to players and then having them bet over a series of rounds until the highest hand wins the pot. This is why understanding how to read other player’s moves and making decisions based on what they have and what you think they will do is one of the most important skills in poker.

Another aspect of poker that separates beginners from pros is knowing how to play your hands and when to fold. This starts with understanding the basic rules of the game. For example, you should always call a bet when holding a premium hand, such as pocket pairs or high-card combinations. This is because you are able to apply pressure on your opponents by placing them in the position of having to decide whether to fold or risk losing their entire stack.

You should also learn the importance of position, since it gives you more information about what your opponent has than any other player. It allows you to take advantage of cheap and effective bluffing opportunities, as well as to make more accurate value bets.