Poker is a game of chance but it also relies on skill. Learning to read your opponents and changing your strategy based on what you know about them is a large part of the game. This is especially important in tournament play where reading your opponents can mean the difference between winning and losing. While some players will give off subtle physical poker tells such as scratching their nose or playing nervously with their chips, a great deal of reading your opponents comes from patterns. For example if a player calls every hand then it’s safe to assume they are playing crappy cards or they are bluffing a lot.

Bluffing is a key element to the game but it is easy for beginners to make mistakes when trying to bluff. One of the most common mistakes is calling too often with weak hands. This can lead to bad beats and waste your bankroll. Instead of calling when you have a weak hand try to bluff and get your opponent to fold or raise their bets.

Another mistake is being too passive with your draws. When you hold a strong draw it is usually best to bet and raise your opponents as much as possible. This forces them to either call your bets and hope for the best or fold to a better hand by the river.

Finally, it is important to be able to count your chips and understand the math involved in poker. This may seem daunting at first but over time it becomes more natural and will help you improve your game. Understanding concepts such as frequencies and EV estimation will help you recognize better hands and make more sound decisions.