Learn how to play poker like a Pro
Poker is a card game where players form
combinations out of 5 cards (called hand) that
they have and bet on it. The player having the
highest value of hand ranking wins. Poker has a
lot of variations that evolved over time but
same format or concept is still followed like
each player must bet on the central pot and the
last player left standing or the player with the
strongest hand wins. Whats good about poker is
that anyone can play it and anyone can either
lose or gain money. Learning how to play poker
is very easy.
Some may think poker is a game of luck; this
might be true because its not every time that
the better players win. Winning also depends on
the cards you are holding. However, to play
poker, a player must make an educated guess on
what cards the other player is holding. With
this in mind, the other player will of course
try to mislead you.
Some, if not most, want to learn how to play
poker because it develops social skills and
provides mental challenges. Poker is also
perceived to be a game of fun and a way of
making money.
A deck consists of 52 cards with categories
being four suits and thirteen ranks. The four
suits (heart, diamond, spade and flower) have
the same value. The thirteen ranks would include
the ace being the highest, king, queen, jack,
and the numbers from 10 down to 2 respectively.
Note that the ace can also be used as the lowest
value in a certain hand.
During a game of poker, you will be hearing a
few common terms and it would help a lot that
you know their meanings.
Hand as mentioned above, this is a
combination of 5 cards
Pot a term used to refer to the money being
raised during the game and which will be given
to the winner/s.
Ante a type of bet wherein the players place
their bets without seeing their cards yet.
There are also common betting rules in order for
you to play poker properly.
Call - a player matches the bet placed before
his
Fold a player gives up all his cards and all
his previously made bets
Raise to increase the bet that came before
his
Poker involves different betting systems. They
are limit, no-limit, and pot limit. With limit
system, the players agree on how much is the
minimum and maximum limit of betting they can
place. This can be quite boring for experienced
players. With no-limit, every player must
increase the bet for every round, and as the
name suggests, there is no limit as to how much
you can put at stake. This can be quite
dangerous for those without self-control. Pot
limit is wherein the players limit for betting
is the pot money involved. Players must not
exceed the current pot money when placing their
bets.
Now that you know the basics of poker, here are
some tips on how to play poker.
Understand that poker is simple to learn and
understand but knowing the rules is not enough
While playing, observe the more experienced
players on when they bet and pass. Poker is also
about strategy
Most important of all, know your betting
limit. It is fine to gamble as long as you have
self-control and be sport.
