Beginner’s Guide to Poker
Poker is a game of incomplete information, where players bet chips (money) and aim to make the best 5 card “hand” using their own 2 cards and the five community cards. On each betting street (pre-flop, flop, turn, and river) the players can choose to call, fold or raise their bets.
Beginners should start off by playing relatively tight, only playing the top 20% of hands in a six-player game, or 15% of hands in a ten-player game. This is usually enough to get the money in, while saving some of it for later hands with higher odds of winning.
Another skill to develop is the ability to read other players, particularly their tells. This includes the obvious fidgeting with chips, but also the more subtle body language of players, such as a twitchy facial expression or a quick glance at their watch. The more you practice and play, the better you will become at judging others.
A common mistake of beginner players is to assume that they have already put a lot of chips in the pot, so they should keep playing even if it seems unlikely they will win. This is a bad mentality to have, as it can lead to a big loss if they are not careful. It is important to know when to fold, especially if you have a marginal hand, or a weak made hand with a low kicker. It is almost always better to save your chips and wait for a better chance of winning in the future.