Poker is a card game played for money by two or more players. It’s a highly mental game, and as such, there are dozens of things you have to keep track of during a single poker session. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced player, here are five tips to improve your game:

Antes and blinds are forced bets that all players must contribute before the hand begins. They add a large amount of value to the pot before the first betting round, which helps create an even playing field for each player.

It’s important to learn about the rank of standard poker hands, as well as how ties are broken. The highest ranking hands are straight flushes, three of a kind, and full houses (four cards of the same suit plus one pair).

Playing in position gives you a huge advantage over players out of position. You’ll get to call bets much more cheaply than your opponents will, allowing you to stay in the hand for longer with a better made hand.

It’s also vital to pay attention to other players and watch for “tells” – nervous habits that can give away the strength of their holding. Learning how to read these signals is an essential part of any good poker strategy. This includes everything from the way a player fiddles with their chips to how often they check. This will help you understand how to play against your opponents, and ultimately make better decisions in the game.