Poker is a card game that has a lot of skill and psychology behind it. This article is meant to be a primer into the game, and for more information on this subject we recommend you hit up your local bookstore (or start playing with people who know how).
The first step to becoming a great poker player is learning relative hand strength. This can be done through practice and watching players play. The more you observe and try to replicate how the experienced players react, the quicker you’ll develop your own quick instincts.
Position at the table has a major impact on your strategy and should be considered before any betting begins. Early position is the couple of seats directly to your left, middle is a seat or two further along, and late is at the very end of the table.
When you’re in a good position, you have more “bluff equity,” and you can see how your opponents react to your bluffs. You can also pick up information on stack sizes, which is important to consider when deciding whether to call or raise.
The dealer puts down a fifth card, and everyone gets another chance to check/raise/fold. The highest ranked poker hand wins the pot.
