Poker is a game of chance, but it also requires skill and psychology. Professional players have a firm grasp of the fundamentals of probability and game theory, which they apply to make informed decisions that maximize their opportunities. They understand the importance of understanding starting hands and position, as these factors set the stage for how aggressive or passive they should be in specific situations. They also understand the importance of limiting risk by playing premium hands like pocket pairs or high-card combinations rather than speculative hands that can be beat on the flop.
In addition to these fundamentals, the best poker players have a strong grasp of table dynamics and have learned to interpret tells. They are adept at extracting signal from noise and interpreting the behavior of their opponents to exploit them and protect themselves. They understand that online play eliminates the advantage of in-person knowledge about their opponents, but they are expert at building behavioral dossiers on their competition and using software to compensate for this loss.
Lastly, the most successful players are adept at fast-playing their strong hands. This strategy not only maximizes their chances of winning, but it also limits the amount of money they put into the pot by chasing off other players who might have a better draw than their own. It is also important for top players to raise their bets when they have a good hand, as this can further increase the size of the pot and maximize the potential return on their investment.