Poker is a game of skill, and winning consistently over the long run requires a high level of discipline and attention to detail. However, even the most seasoned professionals make mistakes and face challenging situations from time to time. Learning from these mistakes can help you improve your own play and become a consistent winner at the tables.

One of the most important aspects of poker is understanding ranges, which are the collection of cards that a player could have in his hand. Using your knowledge of the probabilities of each possible combination can give you an edge over your opponents, especially when it comes to deception.

While new players tend to focus on their own cards, more experienced players take a broader approach and work out the range of hands that an opponent could have. This allows them to understand how likely it is that their own hand beats or ties the other player’s.

It’s also important to study the moves of more experienced players, and try to emulate their style in your own game. This will allow you to expand your repertoire of plays and keep your opponents guessing about what you’re holding. Remember to pay attention to tells, too, as these can reveal a lot about a player’s intentions. This includes fiddling with chips or a ring, as well as the way that he or she holds his or her body. This information can be used to identify the weaknesses of your opponents and exploit them.