Poker is a game that involves both chance and skill. However, the game becomes much more than just a game of chance once betting is introduced because the players are not only making bets for the money in the pot, but also trying to give away information about their hand to their opponents by the way they play it (checking, raising, calling, bluffing etc). This means that there are lots of hidden factors at play that influence the outcome of any particular hand.
One of the most important aspects of poker strategy is understanding the probability of getting a specific card. This is important because it allows you to make decisions on whether or not trying for a certain draw is worth it. For example, if you have a pair of jacks and a king, the chances of hitting a full house are very low because there are only 13 spades left in the deck. This means that the odds of making a full house are not good enough to call a bet.
Another important aspect of poker is learning how to read your opponent. This is done by studying their actions and looking for tells. For example, if an opponent is acting very fast, it could be because they are nervous and have a weak hand. Similarly, if an opponent is taking a long time to decide about their action, they could be hiding the fact that they have a strong hand.