Poker is a game of chance but once betting starts there’s quite a bit of psychology and skill at play too. This article is a very basic introduction into the rules of poker, for a more comprehensive guide you can buy a book on the subject (or get a group of people together who know how to play).
The first round of betting begins once every player has received 2 cards, and usually involves two mandatory bets called blinds put into the pot by players sitting to the left of the dealer. Players then have the option of raising this amount by a maximum of their own stake, or folding. The player who raises most successfully is said to have the best hand, and they then receive the pot if their card beats the highest card exposed by their opponents.
After the flop has been dealt, there is another round of betting, again starting with the player to the left of the dealer. This time 1 more card is dealt face up, and the same rules apply as before except that any player who has a pair or better now has the pot.
During a hand, try to mix up your bet sizes and types as much as possible. If your opponents always know what you have, they’ll be able to pick up on your bluffs and they won’t call your raises with any conviction. This will make it harder for you to win big hands, and it also makes your bluffs less likely to succeed.
