Poker is a card game that puts your analytical and mathematical skills to the test. It also indirectly teaches you how to deal with failure and make good life decisions. It can be a highly satisfying game to play, especially when you are winning.
The goal of the game is to form the highest hand based on the rankings of cards and win the pot at the end of each betting round. The pot is the total of all bets placed by each player during the hand. You can claim the pot by placing a bet that other players are unlikely to call and forcing them to fold their hands.
A strong poker hand requires you to pay attention to your opponents and their body language. This is particularly important when playing heads-up in the more aggressive games. You also need to have a range of weapons in your arsenal in order to combat any tells that your opponent might be giving away.
Another aspect of the game that you should learn is bankroll management. It is crucial to only play in games that you can afford and not over-extend yourself. This means you should practice playing smaller games and seek out online and local coaching to get the most bang for your buck. It is also a good idea to focus on learning ONE concept at a time, for example watching a Cbet video on Monday, reading an article on 3bet strategy on Tuesday and listening to a podcast about ICM on Wednesday.