Poker is a card game that requires a high level of skill and psychology. Although primarily a game of chance, players can influence the outcome through bluffing and spotting tells from opponents. It’s not as easy as just getting a good starting hand and betting well, but with careful thought it is possible to make a living from the game.
When playing poker you must remember that it is a fast-paced game with many different decisions to be made. Often times you will be at risk of being exploited by opponents with larger bets and better hands. This is why it is important to play a tight opening range and avoid chasing too much value.
There are 169 different combinations of starting hands that you can receive, this is because there are 13 card ranks and you get two cards for your starting hand. Some examples of starting hands are; High Card (one of the highest cards in the hand), Pair (two of the same cards), Three of a kind, Flush and Straight. High Card also breaks ties in ties.
Position has a big impact on your starting hand range and strategy, the earlier you are in the position the more risk you take when acting first. This is because your opponent will have more information about your hand before they decide to call or raise you. The best way to work out your opponent’s range of hands is to watch them when they are not involved in the current hand, this allows you to pick up on a variety of different cues and make more informed decisions.