Poker is a card game played by two or more players. The goal is to win a hand by having the highest ranked hand of cards when all of the hands are shown or by betting that your hand is the best and forcing other players to drop out. The player with the highest ranked hand wins the pot, which is all of the money that has been bet during that hand.
The game requires a lot of concentration to play well. Players need to pay attention not only to the cards, but also to their opponents and their body language (if playing in a physical environment). Being able to read your opponents and understand what they are thinking is very important. It is possible to train yourself to be more observant and improve your concentration levels in general.
Another skill that poker trains is the ability to make quick decisions based on your instincts. This is very important as every situation in poker is different and you need to know how to react quickly and correctly. It is a good idea to watch experienced players play to see how they react and use this as your model.
If you have a strong starting hand like high pairs or cards of the same suit, it is usually better to bet aggressively and try to get rid of your opponent as fast as possible. However, this should be done with caution since you might not always win and your bankroll may take a hit.