Poker is a game of chance, but it can also be a test of, and window into, human nature. Even the most disciplined, skilled player can be derailed by a bad call or ill-advised bluff. Getting to grips with those pitfalls, and understanding the nuances of the game can be deeply satisfying.
The basics of Poker are fairly simple: Each player is dealt two cards, then five community cards are placed on the table. Each player aims to make the best possible five-card hand, using their own two cards and the community cards. The highest hand wins the pot.
During the betting phase, players place their chips in the pot, or ‘pot’ (representing money, for which poker is played). The first player to act, as determined by the rules of the specific poker variant being played, has the privilege or obligation to place the first bet. Then each player, in turn, can choose to check, raise, call or fold his or her cards.
Once all of the betting has taken place, players reveal their hands and the winner of the round is declared. It is often during this time that a lucky run of cards can propel an otherwise weak hand into victory.
One of the key things to remember is that you don’t know your opponents’ cards, so it is important to pay attention to what they are doing when they are not in a hand. That way you can pick up on tells and understand what they are likely to do next.
The best way to do this is to pay attention to the reaction of your opponents to the cards that are being revealed. You can tell a lot about what they are thinking by the way they flinch, smile, or don’t blink when their cards are being played. This will give you valuable clues about their strength and what type of hands they might be holding.