Poker is a card game that involves some chance, but like all other competitive skill games it is mostly based on math, psychology and game theory. Players must ante (the amount varies by game, our games are typically a nickel ante). They then get dealt cards. Players then bet into a central pot. At the end of the betting phase, the player with the highest hand wins.
Before the first round of betting begins, a dealer shuffles and deals each player two cards, face-down, which are called a player’s hole or pocket cards. These are the only cards each player has to use to build their best five-card poker hand.
After the pre-flop betting phase, 3 more cards are revealed in the center of the table. These are the community cards and can be used by all players to make their poker hands. At this point, you can say “raise” to increase the size of your bet by adding more chips or cash to the pot.
Watch your opponents and pay attention to their betting patterns. A slow call usually means a good hand and a fast call often suggests weakness. You can also look at a player’s body language for signs of confidence. While not foolproof, these tells can give you a big advantage in the game.