As you play poker, you’re constantly giving away bits of information that can help your opponents piece together a picture of your hand. Even your choice of how to act, whether to check, call, raise or fold, reveals something about your hand’s strength or weakness.

You start with an opening bet (the first bet made during the round) and then each player can make action bets in turn until someone calls or raises. If you have a weak starting hand, you can choose to fold your cards and forfeit the pot. You can also raise a bet, which means you’re matching the last person’s raise and continuing to bet in the round.

The most effective players are able to read the betting patterns of their opponents, and then adjust their own strategy accordingly. Watching experienced players can be a great way to learn, as you can see how they deal with tricky situations and make profitable decisions. In addition, studying their gameplay can expose you to different strategies and approaches, which you can then incorporate into your own game. Remember, though, that becoming a skilled poker player takes time and consistent practice. As you continue to improve, be sure to set realistic goals for each practice session and keep your focus on improving one aspect of your game at a time. You’ll also want to set aside time to review your play and assess how well your decisions align with optimal strategies.