Fold most hands, enter only with advantage
Most hands should be thrown away before any money goes in. Profit comes from the chips the player never commits to weak starting positions, and from the large pots they enter already holding the best hand.
The Education of a Poker Player
3 ideas
Pot odds govern every call
Before calling, compare the chips already in the pot with the cost of staying in, and weigh that ratio against the real chance of improving to a winning hand. A call is justified only when the pot pays more than the odds against you. Hoping to hit a draw is not a reason to call.
Read the player, not the cards
A player's betting pattern, hesitation, and changes in manner reveal more about his hand than the cards showing on the table. Watch how each opponent behaves when strong and when bluffing, then bet against that pattern. Your own play should be varied so opponents cannot build the same profile of you.