While poker has its fair share of luck, it also involves a lot of strategy and psychology. In fact, there’s a lot more skill in the game than most people think.

One of the biggest things that poker teaches players is patience. It’s not always easy to sit through a series of bad sessions when you’re losing, but it is something that all successful poker players have had to do. Learning to be patient in this type of situation can serve you well in other areas of your life as well.

Another skill that poker teaches is the ability to read an opponent. This is not always easy, but it’s important to know how to read the other players at your table. This will allow you to better understand how they are likely to play a hand and will help you decide whether or not to call their bets.

In addition to reading books on the subject, it’s also helpful to talk about hands with winning players in your game. Try to find players who are winning at the stakes that you’re playing and start a group chat or meet weekly to discuss difficult spots that you’ve been in. This can be a great way to learn new strategies and get some feedback on your own decisions in the game. It will also allow you to see how different players are thinking about the same situations and will give you a chance to test out different approaches.