answers are ok, but let me clarify this a little bit more.
the word "pues" has a different variety of meanings. we can start with the more common ones having always in mind that whatever the function is, the use of "pues" is intended to respond and anyway to continue with a current conversation:
1. pues may be understood as a confirmation, denial or refusal of something according to the next or previous idea you are expressing:
pues, yo acepto = well, i agree = you express agreement, because you confirm the good way things go
pues creo que esta mal. = well, i think it´s wrong = "pues" supports your opinion: confirms your disapproval on sth.
pues entonces vámonos!! = ok, so we leave! = this can be for example an angry reaction by a group of people after an argument. they refuse something and confirm it by leaving.
Usually in archaic or rural spanish, even dialectical, the use of pues, has this constant function.
2. Secondly pues can be used in common language but is more constant in poetical or highbrow language, very useful. it works as an explicative conjunction similar to as (for giving reasons) and because in some cases:
no se pudo juntar el dinero, pues nadie prestó = money could n´t be collected, as nobody gave anything.
la tristeza era mucha pues el padre había muerto = sadness was huge, because/as the father had dead
at the same time "pues" may be combined with "porque" to give affirmative/negative strong answers with a more or less logical or obvious answer:
¿por que mamá se ve gorda? pues porque está embarazada!!
why does mom look fat? well, because she´s pregnant!!
por qué el cielo es azul? mmm, well, yes because.
why is the sky blue? mmm, pues porque sí.
In general terms "pues" is used in spanish to strengthen an emphasize the sense of what you say. Because of this, is possible to find it more in spoken and poetical than in technical or official language
i hope this can help......
y pues que tengas mucha suerte!!