Learn the fundamentals of a classic game with our comprehensive poker guide. Whether you are a newcomer or a professional poker player, refreshing your knowledge of the rules is always beneficial. Although there are many variants of this beloved card game, mastering just one or two will prepare you to start playing online.
STEP 1
Before dealing the cards, players place their bets. This includes ante bets, where each player contributes an equal amount, and blinds, where the player to the dealer’s left makes a small bet and the next player places a larger bet.
Each player then receives two face-down cards, known as hole cards. At this stage, players must choose whether to check (pass the opportunity to bet), bet/call (match the previous bet), or fold if their hand is weak.
When a player checks, the option to bet or check moves clockwise to the next player. Once someone places the first bet, the remaining players must call to match it.
STEP 2
After the initial betting round ends, the flop, consisting of three face-up cards, is dealt. Players now have a clearer sense of their hand’s potential strength, leading to another round of betting.
STEP 3
Next, the turn card, a fourth face-up card, is dealt and can help players improve their hands. Remember, a poker hand is made up of just five cards. It is trailed by an additional round of betting.
STEP 4
The river, a fifth face-up card, is then dealt, allowing remaining players to see their hand’s true strength. Before the showdown, one last round of betting takes place.
STEP 5
It’s now time for the showdown, where players reveal their poker hands to determine the winner of the pot. In case of ties, the highest card, known as the kicker, may be used to decide the outcome.
Objective of Playing Poker
The primary objective is to win the pot. While some may think that making the best hand is the main goal, it’s only crucial during the showdown.
To win pots, you can achieve this in two ways:
- Having the highest-ranked hand at the showdown – This approach requires a solid understanding of poker hand rankings. You need to be sure of this if you reach the showdown.
- Betting until all other players fold – This method involves mastering poker strategy, bluffing, and influencing others to react as you intend.
The key takeaway for all the beginners in online poker is that your ultimate goal should be to win pots using one of the above methods mentioned.
What’s Bluffing in Poker Mean?
If you suspect an opponent has a weak hand, you can apply pressure by betting and raising. This strategy leverages their understanding of the poker rules to your advantage.
By betting and raising aggressively, you make it seem like your hand is stronger, causing them to doubt the strength of their own hand. This technique, known as bluffing, allows you to project confidence in your hand.
Bluffing is a strategic play where you make it appear that you have a very strong hand, using the opponent’s knowledge of the rules to your benefit. Even if your hand is weak, you can still win by bluffing. But you need to keep one thing in mind that bluffing is only effective before the showdown; at that point, the best hand wins.
If you notice that an opponent frequently folds when pressured, you can disregard your own cards and bet aggressively. On the other hand, if you have a strong hand in this scenario, you might avoid betting heavily, knowing the opponent is likely to fold under pressure.
Becoming a skill poker player involves adapting to various situations based on your hand, your assumptions about your opponent’s hand, and their behavioral patterns.
Also read: How to Play BlackJack?
