Poker is a game that involves making decisions under uncertainty. This is a very useful skill to have, not just in poker but in many other areas of life too. Making good decisions under uncertainty involves estimating probabilities, something that poker requires in order to determine whether to call, raise or fold.

One of the first things you should do if you want to become a better poker player is familiarize yourself with the rules of the game. Learn the definition of each betting round and the structure of a poker hand. Also, be sure to understand how different hands rank and what they beat.

Studying poker hand charts is another great way to improve your skills. These charts show the hierarchy of different hands (e.g., a flush beats a straight, three of a kind beats two pair, etc). You should also know how to break ties, which is done by looking at the highest card in each of the hands.

One of the most important skills in poker is knowing how to read your opponents. Every action you make (folding, calling, raising) sends a message to your opponent. This information can be used to predict how your opponent is likely to act in future betting rounds. For example, if your opponent takes a long time before calling a small bet you might assume that they are holding a weak hand. In this case, raising could be a profitable move.