While it is possible to win big in poker, the game can also be very frustrating. Even if you are one of the best players in the world, there will be times when you lose. But it is important not to let these losses crush your confidence or make you lose faith in the game. Rather, you should learn from your mistakes and keep practicing to improve your game.

While you should always aim to play the best hand possible, you must also understand that poker is a game of chance. A big part of the game is balancing the odds and expected value (EV) of your bets against the pot odds. If you don’t think your bet will give you a good chance of winning, then it isn’t worth calling.

One of the most important things to learn as a beginner is how to read other players and watch for tells. Tells don’t just include the obvious physical cues like fiddling with a ring or a stack of chips, but can also include mood changes and betting patterns. For example, if an opponent who usually calls very rarely makes a large raise then they may be holding a very strong hand.

When you do get a good hand, it’s important to play it aggressively. While this can be risky, it is often the best way to maximize your chances of winning.