The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game where you compete against other players to make the best hand. There are many different variations, but most of them have a common set of rules and strategies.

A five-card draw:

During the draw, each player must place an ante (amount varies by game, our games are typically a nickel). After that, they see their cards and bet accordingly. Then, another round of betting takes place. The highest hand wins the pot.

Play the Player, Not Your Cards:

A popular idiom in poker is “play the player, not your cards.” This is an important concept to understand. The more you learn about the way other players play, the better your own decisions will be. For example, if a player frequently calls and then makes an unexpected large raise, that’s a tell that they may be holding a very strong hand.