Poker is a card game played with chips. Each player buys in with a specific number of chips and then has the option to raise or fold during each betting round. The player to the left of the dealer begins each betting round by putting in “blinds” (mandatory bets) that must be called by all players.
Once all the players have two cards each, a “flop” is dealt face up. A second round of betting then takes place with each player having the option to call, raise or fold.
Saying “call” means that you want to bet the same amount of money as the player that raised before you. Raise means that you want to add more money to the pot than the player before you. Finally, you can fold if you don’t want to bet or if you have a hand that won’t play well.
Keeping this in mind, it is important to play with an amount of money that you are willing to lose. You should also track your wins and losses so that you can see how much you are winning or losing in the long run. It is recommended that you start out by playing only with an amount that you are comfortable losing and then increase your bankroll as you become more confident in your ability to win. There are a number of top-notch poker learning resources out there for new players, so be sure to take advantage of them.
