Poker is a game of chance but when betting comes into play it becomes much more than just a game of luck. It becomes a game of skill and psychology. This article is meant to be a basic primer into the rules of poker but I strongly suggest you get some books on the subject (or better yet, play with a group that knows how).<\/p>\n
Players start by putting money into the pot (the amount varies from game to game, our games are usually nickels). Then they\u2019re dealt two cards and betting starts. The player to the left of the dealer begins and can \u201ccall\u201d a bet, raise it or fold. This is called being in position. Being in position is very important because it gives you more information about your opponents\u2019 hands and allows you to make more accurate value bets.<\/p>\n
Once the first round of betting is complete the dealer puts three cards face up on the table. These are the community cards that anyone can use. This is called the flop. Another round of betting takes place and then everyone flips over their hands. The person with the best five card hand wins the pot.<\/p>\n
It is important to remember that even though you might have a great pocket pair of kings or queens on the deal that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re going to win the pot. It all depends on what the rest of the board looks like, for example an ace on the flop can spell trouble for your hand especially in late position.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"