When playing poker you place chips or cash into a pot called the “showdown” when it is your turn to bet. The more you put into the pot the higher your chances of winning a hand. This can be done by calling, raising, or folding. A player may also choose to pass if they do not want to bet.
Once everyone has placed their bets the dealer will deal three cards face up on the table that all players can use called the flop. Then another betting round takes place. After that the fourth community card will be dealt called the turn. Then the fifth community card will be revealed by the dealer called the river.
To make the best poker hands you need to have a good understanding of the game’s rules. A good starting point is to learn the basic poker hands. These are:
Straight: Five cards of consecutive rank but not from the same suit (e.g. 3 aces and 2 kings). This hand cannot be tied and can only be beaten by a royal flush.
Flush: Five cards of the same suit (e.g. all hearts) but not in sequence. This hand can be tied but not beaten by a royal flush.
Pair: Two matching cards of different ranks (e.g. a pair of 8s). In the event of a tie the highest pair wins. High Card: The highest unmatched card wins.
Top poker hands are usually made up of pairs of aces, kings, or queens. These are called premium opening hands and can be very profitable in the right situation. However, you should be cautious with premium cards when facing strong opponents. In general top players will fast play their strong hands, meaning they won’t be afraid to raise and build the pot. This will help them win more money and possibly chase off other players who are waiting for a better hand on the turn or river.
Lastly, to be a great poker player you need to be able to read your opponents. This includes their tells (eye movements, idiosyncrasies, hand gestures, betting behavior, etc). It is very important to be able to pick up on a player’s intentions so that you can know when they have a good or bad poker hand.
If a player is showing weakness, making bluffs often, and raising their bets frequently then they have a weak poker hand. It is important to understand these poker hands so that you can adjust your own strategy accordingly. This will allow you to win more money and improve your overall poker skills. Good luck! This article was written by Mike Sexton who works with the poker team at Red Chip Poker. He has over 20 years of experience in the industry and specializes in Texas Hold’em. If you would like to learn more about poker, feel free to check out his blog and watch some of his poker videos on YouTube!