Poker is said to be a game of skill more than it is a game of chance. There is a lot of debate about this, especially when it comes to legal issues, but ask any veteran poker player and they'll tell you that more times than not, the player who is more skilled wins. This suggests that it is possible to learn how to be good at poker, and that there are skills that can be learned to help improve the chances of winning. Most veteran poker players agree that discipline is one of the, if not the most, important skills to learn in poker.


One of the elements of discipline in poker is patience, to either wait for a good hand or a good opportunity. Discipline also means knowing when it is time to walk away from the table or when not to play at all. This skill also includes not allowing one's self to be affected by mistakes and bad beats, which can very negatively affect a player's game. Another very important skill is observation, often combined with a little psychology. This allows a player to identify which players tend to bluff more, and which players always play safe.


Good observation skills will allow a player to see another player's betting patterns and behaviors, and understand what these mean. This applies to body language, and can also apply to how much and how quickly another player places bets. Good observation skills allow a poker player to have more information to determine the right course of action. A good poker player also needs to be a mathematician, as it is important that a player knows the chances that a certain hand will win. A player with good math skills will know not only how many cards will improve a certain hand, but will also know the chances for getting any of those cards.


Good math skills can help a player determine the chances that a certain hand can win. A player can then choose how to act appropriately, depending on the present odds. Money management is another skill that a good poker player has to have. This includes having a bankroll and being able to hold on to it, which will allow a good player to play another day. This also includes knowing when to bet, and how much to bet, and also when to cut losses and just fold or leave. Without good money management, a poker player will never be considered good, and will find themselves unable to consistently win at poker.


Other veteran poker players will likely be able to add other skills to this list, some of which will be related to these four important skills. Good players that have mastered these skills understand that mastery doesn't mean they will never lose a game, but these skills will allow a poker player to win consistently. It will take time to develop these skills, but like anything worthwhile, it is a cost that has to be paid by those who want to become good poker players.