Poker is a game where math and statistics begin to become a bigger part of your overall strategy. You will learn about odds, frequencies, and EV estimation – and over time these numbers will start to become ingrained in your brain. You’ll also develop a better understanding of things like combos and blockers.
You will learn to read your opponents’ tells – their eyes, idiosyncrasies, hand gestures, betting behavior etc. Oftentimes you will be able to pick up more information about an opponent when they’re not involved in the pot, as it’s easier to focus on what they’re doing. For instance, if an opponent is calling every bet and then suddenly raises dramatically, it may be because they have a great hand!
Poker requires a lot of mental energy, so it’s not uncommon for players to feel exhausted at the end of a hand. However, if you are a responsible player and don’t let your emotions get the best of you, then you’ll be able to use this downtime to relax and recharge. This will give you the energy to come back and play better in your next game.