The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game played between 2 or more players. There are many different types of poker, but in all forms the objective is to win the “pot” which is the total amount of bets made by all players in any given deal. The pot may be won by having the best poker hand or by making a bet that no other player calls.

Each player begins the game with two cards dealt face down. There is then a round of betting, initiated by 2 mandatory bets called blind bets placed into the pot by the players to their left. After the first betting round the dealer then deals a third card to each player (this is sometimes called the flop).

This is where the skill in poker really starts to show. As you become a better player, you will learn how to play more hands and analyze the situation. However, it is important to remember that luck will still have a big part in your success.

If you are in EP or MP, your starting hands should be very tight. It is also good to develop a bluffing strategy in order to force weaker hands to fold. One of the best ways to do this is by learning how to make a continuation bet (c-bet) on the flop. This is an excellent way to disguise your strong hands and makes it harder for opponents to call your bluffs.