Poker is a game that tests your ability to make decisions under uncertainty. This skill is valuable not just in poker but also in life, as entrepreneurs and athletes often must make important choices without all the facts at hand. Moreover, poker requires a high level of concentration. If you start to feel distracted, your decision making process will suffer and you may lose money. Therefore, it is vital to play only with money that you can afford to lose and to focus on your decisions throughout the session.
Once all players have two of their own cards and the dealer has dealt three face up community cards on the table called the “flop” there is a betting round which begins with the player to the left of the dealer. When everyone has called the bets the player with the highest ranked five card poker hand wins the pot – all the money that was bet during that particular hand.
To maximize your EV, you need to be creative with your bluffing and protect your ranges. Otherwise, your opponents will be able to spot your pattern and exploit it. Furthermore, you should always be aware of the bet size that you are using to bluff, as this will influence your opponent’s calling range. Lastly, it is vital to get into the habit of reading your opponent’s body language and behavior. In this way you will be able to identify their tells and adjust your strategy accordingly.
