Poker is a game of chance. But when you add betting, it becomes a game of skill and psychology.
Players play for a pot (money) consisting of the total amount bet by all players. This pot is won by a player with the best hand. Ties are resolved by determining the highest card, then second highest card and so on. If no hand is high enough, the dealer wins the pot.
Each player starts with a certain number of chips. They buy these chips with their own money or by placing a bet, usually in increments of five whites (or other light-colored chips) or two, four or five reds. This bet is called the ante.
Throughout the game, players bet, raise and fold. This is the heart of poker strategy. The basic rules are the same in all variations of poker, but the strategies vary widely.
Watch how experienced players react to build your own instincts. The better you understand other players, the more successful you’ll be.
If you have a good reason to believe your opponent is bluffing, don’t let them read you! Classic tells include shallow breathing, sighing, nostril flaring and eyes watering. Also, a hand held over the mouth or shaking is a sign of nerves. These actions can be distracting and confuse your opponent so they can’t accurately read your intentions.
