A Beginner’s Guide to Poker

Poker is a game where each player tries to create the highest hand possible out of a standard pack of cards. The highest card wins the pot.

The Cards:

A standard deck of 52 cards is used, sometimes with a few jokers added to it. The cards are ranked (from high to low): Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.

The Flops:

A flop is a card that is dealt face up on the table. The cards are then dealt one at a time to everyone in the game, with each player getting to bet, call or raise.

The River:

A river is a card that is dealt one last time to the players. The players can bet, check, raise or fold.

Position:

A good position in poker gives you “bluff equity,” meaning you’ll be able to make more accurate bluffing decisions. The best positions are to bet after the flop and before the turn.

Defiance:

There’s always a temptation to defy your opponent, especially after the flop. You might want to bet if you think your opponents are weak or if they have a big bet. But in the end, it can kill you if you don’t have the right cards.

Hope:

There’s also always a hope that the turn or the river will give you the straight or flush you want. But in the end, it can also make you lose your head.