The Basics of Poker
Poker is a betting card game where you compete against others in order to win the pot. It is a game of skill, strategy, and luck, but most importantly, it’s fun!
The Rules of Poker
In most variants of poker, each player is dealt a hand consisting of five cards. The highest single card wins the hand, with pairs and straights considered second and third high cards.
Optimal Play
In standard No-Limit Hold’em, the best starting hands are a pair of Kings, Queens or Aces, and Ace-King or Ace-Queen combinations. These are premium opening hands and should be aggressively betted to establish dominance from the start of the hand.
Folding Bad Hands
Almost all poker players are going to get dealt a bad hand at some point, so it’s always good practice to fold any hand that isn’t a premium opening hand. This can be especially true when you’re playing against a table with 7+ players, because there is a very high chance of someone flopping and crushing your mediocre hand.
Being the Last to Act
Unlike other games, in poker you can bet more and bluff more effectively by being the last to act. The reason for this is that you are in a stronger position, and therefore have more information about your opponents’ hand strength.
This information will help you to adjust your betting patterns, and bluff more effectively. It also gives you the information you need to know when you should raise or check behind.