Poker is a card game in which players place a blind or an ante bet before being dealt cards. Those cards are called hole cards and they remain hidden from opponents. A good poker player will know how to calculate pot odds and percentages and they will also be able to read other players and adjust their play accordingly. The top players will have several similar traits and they will be patient and willing to wait for optimal hands and proper position. They will not be afraid to raise when they are holding a strong hand and they will be able to spot weaker players.
One of the biggest mistakes that new players make is to play too conservatively. If you are in EP then you should be tight and only open strong hands. In MP you can open a little wider and start to play more hands but it is still important to have a solid opening range.
Having a pair of pocket kings or queens does not guarantee you will win every hand but you need to bet aggressively to put pressure on your opponents. If you have these types of cards and they are not backed up by solid betting then the other players will shove you around or call your bets when you are bluffing.
A good poker player will always look for ways to improve their game. This can be done by reviewing old hands and learning from their mistakes. It is important to review not only the hands that went wrong but also the ones that went well so you can learn from what you did correctly.