Whether you’re playing for fun or serious money, poker is a game of strategy. But, even experienced players often make costly mistakes when learning the game. That’s why it’s so important to take your time and think about every aspect of the hand before you decide what to do.
Before the cards are dealt each player puts in an initial amount of money into the pot called the ante or blinds. Players then have the choice of calling a bet, raising it or folding their cards. Say “raise” to add your own bet to the pool, or “call” if you want to put up the same amount as someone else.
One mistake many beginner players make is being too passive with their draws. A good player will be more aggressive with these hands and either bluff their opponents or make the hand by the river.
Another mistake is thinking that you have a great hand when the other players at your table have a better one. A pair of kings may seem like a strong hand, but when you face a player with pocket rockets it’s all over. The key to good poker is understanding that it’s all relative and that you have to play the other players at your table not just your own cards. To do that you need to learn their betting patterns and read them for tells such as their eye movements, idiosyncrasies, hand gestures and betting behavior.