The game of poker has many different rules, variations and stakes. This article is meant to give a general introduction to the game for players who are new to it.
The first step in learning poker is to understand the betting structure. There is a round of betting every time the cards are dealt, initiated by 2 mandatory bets (called blinds) placed into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer.
After the preflop betting rounds are complete, 3 cards are dealt face up on the flop. The flop is followed by another round of betting, again initiated by the player to the left of the dealer. The flop is the heart of your hand, and this is where you will need to focus most of your attention.
Don’t play weak hands preflop. Beginners tend to overplay hands that aren’t strong enough to win when they hit the flop. For example, a weak unsuited ace with a low kicker isn’t good, as the other player can easily beat you on later streets.
When you have a strong value hand, don’t be afraid to put some pressure on the opponent. This will ensure that you get paid off on your strong value hands and discourage opponents from chasing their unrealistic draws for a premium price.
Remember, the situation is always more important than your cards. A pair of kings isn’t bad off the deal, but if someone else is holding AK, your kings will lose 82% of the time!