Poker basics

To be successful at poker, you need a thorough grounding in the basic rules, which consist of a few obligatory points, and special terms.

Combinations

The game is based on forming combinations. It is important to learn how to identify the highest flush. The principles of determining seniority depend on the type of deal: two, three, four or five-card. In the first three, the strongest hand depends on the rank of pairs, threes or kickers, and in the last, on the highest card.

Strategy

A strategy is a plan of action appropriate to any playing situation. Making the best decisions guarantees a profit in the long term.

Learning a strategy gives you an advantage over an untrained player, and choosing the most effective version helps you outplay a more skilled opponent. Before placing your bets, it is advisable to learn the strategic nuances pertaining to a particular discipline and format.

Choice of starting cards

The first two cards indicate to the poker player whether or not it makes sense to get in on the bidding, i.e. to invest. The strength of the starters determines the strength of the hands and the possibility of winning.

Table Positions

The term “position” refers to the order of a move, which can be early, medium or late. Of the 169 two-card variant starting hands, only 20 are considered strong, with even fewer being used to make a winning hand. In most cases, it depends on the actions of the opponents. Late positions are the most profitable.

The maths

Mathematical calculations are the basis of poker strategy. Postflop is a good way to do this, allowing you to use simple formulas to determine your odds of winning. Special techniques and ready-made tables help you to play on the plus side.

Bankroll Management

Investing money and playing for more money is similar to working on a stock exchange. It is important to choose a table at which current poker capital can provide comfortable play. A shortage of funds will lead to bankruptcy. 

Psychology and game planning

A poker player needs to set themselves up to make money and not see the game as a form of entertainment. There are poker psychology books for this purpose.

Tactics

Tactics, as opposed to strategy, are aimed at making decisions in a specific hand based on the current situation: strength of cards, the bidding street, the size of the pot, the behavior of opponents etc.

Tactical tricks

All known poker tricks are roughly divided into two groups:

1. Passive bidding. When a player provokes his opponent to form the pot, make bets, and raise insignificant investments.
2. aggressive bidding. In this case the player forms the pot himself, raises his bets, and over-bets his opponents.

Bluffing

Bluffing refers to aggressive behavior in bidding. It is a tactic designed to make a profit for the bank in a losing situation. When bluffing, we try to make our opponent doubt our chances of winning and the strength of our hand in order to force him to give up the Pot until we see his hand open and compare it.

Practice

With real-world experience, one can learn how to manage emotions and evaluate opponents, which leads to profit.