Poker is a card game where players place bets into the pot at the end of each hand. The player with the highest-ranking hand wins the pot. Players are dealt cards and then make bets to form a poker hand based on their rank, position and suit. A good poker player must be able to control his emotions and think long-term. This is a great way to learn discipline, which can be applied in many different areas of life.

Poker teaches you how to read other people’s body language. This is important because a successful poker player will often find himself in high-pressure situations that require him to maintain his composure. For example, when playing in a tournament, you may need to remain calm and composed even though your opponents are putting a lot of pressure on you to win the tournament. In the end, you can save yourself a lot of money by keeping your temper under control at the poker table.

Observing the tells of other players also helps you improve your own poker game. These tells usually include a shallow breathing, sighing, flaring nostrils, watery eyes, blinking excessively, dilated pupils, an increased pulse in the neck or temple and/or shaking hands. These tells are not difficult to recognise if you pay attention and focus while you play.