Poker is a game that involves a lot of short term luck, but when you introduce betting, it becomes a much more complicated and skill intensive game. It is also a game that relies on social dynamics and psychology. There is no doubt that the most successful players understand these elements.
The game of poker has been around for almost two centuries, but it didn’t become widely known until the mid-to-late 1800s. Its origin is unknown, but it is generally credited to General Schenck. He was a guest at the Somerset country house of Lady W in 1872 and was prevailed upon to teach the guests this “peculiarly American” game.
In a basic game of poker, each player gets 2 cards dealt face down. Once everyone has their cards, a round of betting begins. Each player can choose to call, raise, or fold their hand.
There are 3 additional cards dealt on the table, called the flop, turn and river. The flop is an important part of the game because it gives players information about their opponents’ hands. A pair of kings may seem great on paper, but if the opponent is holding A-A, your kings will lose 82% of the time!
In addition to studying the game, it’s important to learn how to read other players and pick up on their tells. This doesn’t just mean looking for nervous habits like fiddling with chips or wearing a ring, but also paying attention to how they play and how they react to certain situations.
