When you tell people that you play poker for a living, they usually have one of two reactions. They’ll either nod in quiet judgment or demand that you spill your secrets. While neither reaction is particularly bad, both are indicative of the fact that many people misunderstand poker and the broader benefits of risk-taking.

The first step to becoming a better player is understanding the rules and calculating probabilities. Whether in poker, finance or any other area where you’re deciding under uncertainty, it’s essential to start with an open mind and estimate which scenarios are more likely than others. As a result, you’ll be able to make smarter bets and more accurately read your opponents’ hands.

A good hand is a combination of cards with high values. To win, you must beat the other players’ highest-value combinations. When deciding which cards to include in your hand, consider the value of each individual card and its proximity to other cards on the table. For example, you should include the highest-value card in your hand if you’re trying to make a straight, while you should leave out lower-value cards from your hand if you’re making a bluff.

During each round, you’ll be betting against other players until the final hand is revealed. At the showdown, whoever has the best five-card poker hand wins the pot, which includes all the bets made at each previous round. This is the main reason why you should focus on observing your opponents’ reactions during each round.