Poker is a card game with a lot of skill and psychology. It isn’t just about luck – you can weight your chances to maximise profit. For example, even if you have the worst starting cards in a hand, you can still win by using your bluffing skills. But be careful, because if you’re caught bluffing, it can be bad for your poker career (and life).
To begin a hand, players place an ante into the pot, which is then used to bet during the hand. Once the betting is done, the player with the highest hand wins the pot.
The first round of betting starts when each player receives 2 hole cards. Then 1 more card is dealt face up – this is called the flop. During this phase, it’s usually best to call any bets placed. This will force weaker hands out of the hand and increase your chances of a good one.
The next step is to study your opponent’s body language to identify any tells. The better you are at reading your opponents’ body language, the easier it will be for you to make decisions at the table. Practice by watching experienced players and imagining how you would react in their situation. By doing this you will build your own poker instincts. This will help you play faster and better.
