The game of poker is a card game in which players place an ante and bet money before seeing their cards. The player with the best hand wins the pot. In Texas Hold’em, two cards, called hole cards, are dealt to each player. Then five community cards are dealt face up in three stages: the flop, the turn, and the river.
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is paying too much for their draws, or “chasing” them. A good poker player understands basic poker math and knows their pot odds. They also know when to raise with their strong hands to force weaker opponents to fold.
Paying close attention to your opponent is also key. This doesn’t mean looking for subtle physical tells like fiddling with their chips or scratching their nose (although this is important too). Instead, pay attention to their betting patterns. For example, if a player is calling all night and suddenly makes a huge raise then they likely have a monster hand. Reading your opponents is a critical component of the game of poker and is something all beginners should work on.