The game of poker comes with a hefty amount of vocabulary. From antes to betting, knowing the lingo helps you understand what the experts are talking about. Once you have the terminology nailed down, you can begin to learn the game using the methods that best suit your learning style.
For instance, some people learn better from written instruction that includes diagrams of the moves and strategies they need to master. Others enjoy watching instructional videos that allow them to pause and repeat as they work through the concepts. Still others may want to play live games online where they can test out their newly learned theories and get immediate feedback from opponents.
If you’re a beginner, you should focus on the basics of the game like starting hands and position. These are the foundation of your poker strategy and help you make sound decisions throughout a hand.
After players have received their 2 hole cards, there’s a round of betting that starts with the player to the left of the dealer. A second card is then dealt face up on the table called the flop. Another round of betting ensues, based on the strength of the cards in each hand.
Once the community cards are revealed, the highest hand wins. For example, if you have pocket 7’s and the flop is 3-7-6-2, your hand is called the nuts (meaning it beats all other hands). If the turn is a 7, then your hand no longer beats other hands and it becomes the lowest possible hand.