Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world. It’s been played in glitzy casinos and seedy dives alike for decades. Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, there are always new things to learn in this game of skill and chance.
Poker players need to be able to read other opponents and watch for tells. These can be subtle physical actions like fiddling with chips or scratching your nose, but more often than not they come from patterns a player has developed over time. For example, if a player always calls when the action comes around to them then chances are they’re playing some pretty strong cards.
Once the flop is dealt everyone gets a chance to bet/check/raise/fold. The player with the highest ranked hand wins the pot.
This means that if you’re holding pocket kings and the flop comes A-8-5 then it’s probably time to fold, even though your hand is still good. Playing your strongest value hands aggressively enables you to disguise the strength of them and keep your opponent guessing. This can force them to overthink and make mistakes that you can capitalize on. It also allows you to charge them a premium for calling your bluffs. This can lead to big profits over the long term.