How to Make Good Decisions in Poker

Poker is one of the best games to teach you how to make good decisions under uncertainty. This is an important skill in both personal and professional life, as there will always be situations where you don’t have all the information you need to make a decision. Poker also helps you learn to assess risks, another important aspect of making good decisions.

The first thing that any poker player should learn is the basic rules of the game, including hand rankings and positions. It’s also important to understand your opponents’ ranges and how that can impact your chances of winning a hand. For example, if you’re in EP position your opponents are likely to call bets with weak hands, so you should play tight and only open strong hands.

Beginners to poker should also spend some time learning how to read other players and watch for tells. These aren’t just nervous habits like fiddling with chips or a ring, but more subtle cues like the amount of time they take to make a decision. They’re a great way to improve your poker strategy and gain an advantage over your opponents.

Finally, poker teaches you to be patient and wait for the right moment to make a move. It’s important not to let your emotions get in the way of your poker decisions, as this can lead to bad decisions. Ultimately, this patience can help you become a better person in both your personal and professional lives.