Poker is a game where players have to make decisions about how much to bet, how many chips to put into the pot and whether or not to call, raise or fold. In order to do this players have to be able to assess the strength of their own hand and the chances that their opponents have a strong one too. This type of decision making requires a lot of concentration and focus.
Poker also teaches people patience and the ability to take their time when making a decision. These skills are incredibly useful in other parts of life and have been shown to increase happiness levels. In addition, the competitive environment of a poker table can help people build self-esteem and confidence.
A basic rule of poker is that each player must always bet at least as much as the previous player. This means that if the player to your left raises, you must either call by putting in the same amount of chips into the pot or raise too. If you do not have a strong enough hand to bet, then you must fold and wait for the next round.
Being aggressive is a key part of any poker strategy but it is important to only be aggressive when it makes sense. Generally speaking, you should bluff with your medium-strength hands and bet when you have backdoor draws. Be careful not to over-bluff as this will lose you money.