Poker is a game in which players compete to earn money by combining cards with the goal of making the highest hand. There are various variations of the game, but the basic rules remain the same.
Players at a table play against one another, each holding pre-determined number of chips. The poker dealer keeps track of the betting and raises, and also acts as a mediator between players who do not adhere to etiquette or are acting inappropriately.
The game is played clockwise around the table, starting with the player to the left of the dealer button and moving clockwise until all players have finished playing. This process is called the shuffle.
Understanding ranges
When a player calls a bet, the other player must show their cards. This can be done by revealing all of the cards in their hand or showing only the facedown cards in their hand.
Identifying tells: Some players may have little chinks in their armor that you can exploit. These include eye movements, hand gestures, and betting behavior.
Betting more: You should bet more often than you call a hand. This will help you build up the pot and chase your opponent off of the flop when they have a good hand.
Bluffing: You should try to bluff your opponents on the flop, turn and river when you have a strong hand. This will allow you to get a better feel for their hand strength and can be the difference between winning and losing.