Poker is a game that requires a lot of attention to detail. It can also be mentally exhausting. Your brain is tasked with dozens of things at once, from analyzing your opponent’s body language to estimating their range. Luckily, there are a few tips you can use to help make poker easier on your brain and improve your results.

To place more money into the pot than your opponents, you can say “raise” when it’s your turn. The other players can then choose to either call your new bet or fold.

Beginners should play tight at the beginning of their poker journey and avoid playing crazy hands, especially on the button. By doing this, they will maximize the amount of money they win on each hand and limit their losses.

It’s important to know how to read your opponents and watch for tells, which are small, non-verbal behaviors that give away a player’s intentions. For example, if someone is fiddling with their chips or wearing a hat, they may be nervous. If you can spot their tells, you can make more informed decisions about calling or raising your bets.

If you have a strong poker hand, you should always raise rather than call. This will build the pot and force weaker hands out of the game, giving you a greater chance of winning. Beginners should also avoid limping as this often costs them money.