The game of poker is a card game in which players compete for an amount of money or chips contributed by all players (called the pot). The betting round begins once every player has received their starting cards. This round is triggered by two mandatory bets put in by the players to the left of the button, known as the small blind and the big blind. These bets create a pot immediately and encourage competition.
When your two cards are dealt, you have the option to stay with what you have or say “hit.” If you believe your hand is worth keeping, say “stay” and the dealer will deal you one more card. If you think your hand is too low in value, say “hit” and the dealer will deal you another card.
There are many variations of poker, but the most common is Texas Hold’em. This is a game of five-card hands and the highest ranking hand is the royal flush, which includes a 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in a single suit (clubs, hearts, diamonds or spades).
To succeed at poker, you must be able to stick with your plan no matter how frustrating or boring it gets. You’ll need to be willing to suffer through terrible luck and bad beats, but remember that a patient, focused approach will always pay off in the long run.
