Poker is a card game that is mostly based on luck, but with some skill and psychology. A good poker player will know when to bluff, when to fold, and when to call.
Each player buys in for a certain amount of money, called chips. There are usually a variety of different colored chips, with white being worth the lowest value; blue is often worth twice as much; and red is worth five times as much.
Once everyone has bought in, cards are dealt. Each player has 2 personal cards (a “hand”) and there are 5 community cards. Each player aims to make the best 5-card hand using their own two cards and the community cards. The best hand wins the pot, which is all the chips staked so far.
A good strategy is to call on the flop, as this will force weaker hands out of the hand. However, if you have a strong hand you should bet, as this will encourage other players to call your raises.
It is important to watch the other players’ body language. Common tells include shallow breathing, sighing, nostril flaring, sweating, eye watering and an increased pulse seen in the neck or temple. Some players will try to hide their nervousness by putting their hands over their mouth or shaking them. A quick glance at the chips can also reveal nervousness. Those who are very conservative will rarely raise, but those who are more aggressive will often bet early in the hand before other players see their cards.