Poker is a game that requires you to pay close attention not only to the cards but also to your opponents. You have to be able to read the way they handle the cards and what their body language is telling you (if they are stressed or bluffing). You must always be aware of how strong your own hand is. This type of concentration will help you in other areas of life, whether it is selling yourself or leading a team.

You also have to be able to balance risk and reward. In poker, you are risking your own money to try to make a winning hand. The more likely you are to win, the higher your bet should be. If you bet too low, you could be re-raised and get stuck in a losing hand.

Once the first betting round is over the dealer puts three more cards face up on the table that anyone can use (called the flop). Now you have to decide whether to call, raise or fold. Let’s say you have a pair of kings off the deal, which isn’t bad but not great. You decide to call.

However, if the flop comes and your hand doesn’t play, you should fold. It doesn’t make sense to keep betting into a pot that isn’t going to pay out. In addition, this will make it more difficult for weaker hands to hit the flop. In other words, you’ll be stealing value from your opponents!