A Basic Guide to Poker
Poker is a game where you put money in a pot before getting your cards and then try to beat your opponents with the best hand. This article will give you a basic primer into the game, for more information, check out one of the many books on the subject (or get a group together and play with people who know how to do it right).
Players start by putting up something called an ante (amount varies by game) and then getting dealt 2 hole cards. Next a round of betting happens in which each player can call, raise or fold. The highest hand wins the pot.
After the flop, there’s another round of betting, this time starting with the player on the left of the button. The buttons are mandatory bets that help to create a pot and incentive for players to play.
Once the flop has been dealt, it’s worth analyzing the board and your opponent’s range. A strong hand can go bad very quickly if you have pocket kings and the flop comes A-8-5.
You can use your bluffing skills at this point to force weaker hands out of the pot or you can raise to add more value to your own hand. Beware of other players’ tells, such as erratic eye movements, gestures and betting patterns. They may be telling you that they have an excellent hand but that could also be a lie. If you can read their tells you can adjust your range accordingly and maximize your profits.