Poker is a game that requires strong decision-making skills and mental discipline. It can also be a fun way to spend time with friends, especially when you have a good understanding of the rules of the game.
The divide between break-even beginner players and big-time winners is often not as wide as many people think. In some cases, it is just a few small adjustments that can help you to start winning at a much higher clip. Some of these changes involve getting comfortable taking risks, but not huge ones that will put you in financial peril. It might be a matter of starting off by taking smaller risks in lower-stakes games for the learning experience, and then building up to larger ones when you have gotten more practiced at making them.
Another adjustment that can improve your game is becoming more observant of other players and their tells. You will need to be able to read body language and other subtle cues, which will help you to know whether they are holding a strong hand or not. It is also helpful to be able to read how players are betting, such as whether they are raising before or after the flop.
It is also important to mix up your betting patterns at the table. For instance, if you are playing EP and someone raises pre-flop, you should be more inclined to fold, rather than calling all-in with a weak hand.