Poker is a card game that involves betting between players. Each player starts the hand by putting a bet into the pot (the amount varies by game, but in our games it’s typically a nickel). Players then get dealt two cards each, which they keep hidden from other players. When it’s their turn to bet they can choose to call, raise, or fold. After the players have all bet a third card is revealed in the center of the table, this is called the flop. After the flop another round of betting takes place and the highest hand wins the pot.
The game of Poker is played from a standard deck of 52 cards, with suits ranked (from high to low) spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs. In some games there are additional cards known as jokers, or wild cards that can take the rank of any other card.
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is playing too many hands, this can bleed them out and leave them vulnerable to exploitative bets from stronger opponents. You want to play only enough hands that you can afford to lose, if you’re not good at losing you’ll never make money.
It’s also important to not let your ego get in the way of your decisions. While it might sting to see your opponent catch their two-outer on the river and crack your Aces, remember that they got paid because they made a mistake.