Poker is a game of chance that involves betting chips and can either be won or lost. There are dozens of variations on the game but most involve two personal cards, known as hole cards, being dealt to each player and then a series of community cards, called the flop, turn and river, being revealed in stages.
When your turn comes to play, you say, “call” to put in the same amount as the last person and continue on with the hand. You can also raise if you think your hand is stronger than the one that was called before.
A range is the entire scale of a player’s possible hands in a particular situation, such as a full house, a straight, a pair or ace-high. Advanced players try to predict their opponent’s range and adjust accordingly.
At the end of a hand, players reveal their cards and the person with the best hand wins the pot. If there is a tie, the dealer wins. If you have a good enough poker face, you can also use your hands to make bluffs against weaker opponents.
A poker game can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to keep your bankroll in mind and only gamble with money that you are willing to lose. Trying to play for more than you can afford to lose can quickly derail your progress at the game. Ideally, you should start at the lowest limits and work your way up to higher stakes as you gain experience.
