Poker is a family of card games played around the world. Each game has its own rules and uses a different deck of cards, but they all share the same goal: to make the best hand possible.
Getting Started in Poker
The first thing you need to learn is how to bet. You can do this by choosing to “call,” which means that you’re willing to put the same amount of money into the pot as your opponent, or by “raising,” which lets you add more chips.
Bets and raises are the foundation of every poker game. They help you build larger pots and win more frequently.
Ante – This is the initial, usually small, bet that all players make before the hand begins. Once the ante is made, each player receives two cards that must be kept secret.
Flop – Once the initial betting round is over, the dealer deals three face-up community cards to all players. Once these are finished, players can either “check” (make no bets), or “bet,” “raise,” or “fold.”
Turn – Once the first betting round is over, the dealer deals another three face-up community cards to all players. This time, players can “bet,” “raise,” or “fold.”
River – Once the second betting round is over, the dealer deals a fourth community card to all players. Once all of these are dealt, the hand is called the Showdown.
When you’re playing poker, it’s important to learn how to read your opponents’ hands and their behavior. This can be difficult at first, but it’s a critical skill that can change your win rate and lead to bigger winning hands in more complicated situations.