Poker is a game of chance, but it’s also a game of strategy and psychology. Regardless of whether you’re playing for fun or professionally, there are certain rules that should always be followed to improve your chances of success.

Rule number one: Don’t play the game with money you can’t afford to lose. This goes for both cash and tournament games. It’s not only important for your short-term bankroll, but it will help you stay calm and focused throughout a hand. If you’re worried about losing your buy-in, it will make you nervous and affect the decisions you make.

It’s also a good idea to start at the lowest limits. Whether you’re new to the game or an experienced player, starting at the lower stakes will help you learn the game by playing against weaker players. This will give you a better win rate and allow you to move up the stakes much faster.

Another important tip is to avoid slowplaying your strong value hands. This can backfire and make your opponent think that you’re bluffing. Instead, play your strong value hands aggressively and capitalize on your opponent’s mistakes. This will also help you build up a natural count of frequencies and EV estimations, which will be ingrained in your brain over time.