Whether you’re a complete newbie to the game or have been playing for years but want to get serious about your poker strategy, there are some fundamentals that should be mastered immediately. Studying these topics can save you a lot of time and frustration sifting through forum posts and hand analysis videos that provide no actionable information.
Getting Started
Unlike most card games, poker involves betting before the cards are dealt. This is called the ante. Some variations of the game also have blind bets, which are placed before each round of betting but do not affect the value of your hand. Generally, you can either call or raise these bets.
Once the cards are dealt, you will have to decide if you want to stay in the hand or fold. To stay in the hand, you must match or raise the last player’s stake. If you can’t, then you must fold your hand.
When it comes to making a good decision, focusing on the odds is a great place to start. A high pair, for example, is a very strong hand and will beat most other hands. However, a low card with a bad kicker is not a good hand to play and should be folded.
It’s also helpful to learn what the other players are holding before you decide if you should stay or fold. This is a huge part of reading the other players and can be accomplished by watching their faces, how they move their chips, and even subtle physical tells.