Beginner’s Guide to Playing Poker

Poker is not just a game of cards, it’s a test of wits and a challenge to our creativity. There are various variations of poker games, and each one has its rules. Despite the standards, the strategies of the game are the same. All you need to do is to master the basics and develop your winning strategy.

You can play this game for money or fun. If playing poker is stressful for you, don’t worry – below are easy tips on how to play poker like a pro.

Here’s the Basics

Poker hand rankings

Sites like 389poker will help you familiarize and memorize the different hand rankings for easy recognition. The highest-value hand usually determines the winner. It is, therefore, essential to aim to make the most substantial poker hand. Below are the winning poker hands from the lowest to the highest.

• High card – this is the lowest ranking hand, commonly known as “nothing.” If every player has nothing, the player with the most top card wins.
• Pair – this is when you have two cards of the same rank and three other unmatched cards.
• Two pairs – if you have two cards of the same level, two cards of another class, and one unmatched card.
• Three of a kind – this is if you have three cards of the same rank and two unmatched cards.
• Straight – this is you have five cards of consecutive rank but from more than one suit.
• Flush – Contains any five cards of the same suit
• Full house – Have three matching cards of one rank and two matching cards of another class.
• Four-of a kind – When you have four cards of the same position from different suits and the fifth card of any rank.
• Straight flush – It’s when you have five consecutive cards of the same suit.
• Royal flush – this is when you have A-K-Q-J-10 the entire same suit.

Phrases and Terminologies

Below are a few essential words used in the game:

• Ante – it’s the first small amount of money put up in a game. It’s put by all the players.
• Fold – this is getting out of hand by throwing away your cards.
• Check – you avoid betting by saying check.
• Raise – This is to add money to the betting pool.
• Bluff – if a player doesn’t have an exquisite hand, but bets seeming like he does.

Over to you

Playing poker is not as difficult as it seems to be. Always know the rules in advance to avoid making slipups while playing. Learn the basic strategies of the game. It will not only help you perform better but also make the game more enjoyable. Sites like 389poker are great when it comes to practicing your skills.

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