Poker is one of the most popular card games around. It has evolved from a game of chance into a skill-based game, and it is now played by millions of people all over the world.
The game begins when each player places an ante into the pot. This is a mandatory bet that every player must put into the pot before they can see their cards. Once everyone has placed their antes, the dealer deals each player 2 hole cards. There is then a round of betting where players can fold, call or raise their bets. I’m dealt a pair of kings off the deal, not great but certainly not bad. The betting starts and I ‘check’ (this means I don’t owe anything to the pot). Charley calls and Dennis raises a dime.
There are 3 more cards that are dealt face up on the board called the flop. These are community cards that everyone can use. I now have 9 ‘outs’ to improve my hand (9 cards out of the 46 unseen that can make my hand better) so it makes sense to call his raise and try to hit my flush.
Most poker books written by pros will tell you to only play the best of hands. This is a good strategy when you are trying to win big, but it can be boring and frustrating when you’re just playing for fun. It’s also a lot of work!
