Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world. It has a long and rich history that began with a German bluffing game called pochen and evolved into the French game poque before coming to America on riverboats along the Mississippi. Today poker is played in almost every country that has a gambling industry.
To play this game you need more than a bucket of confidence and a keen eye. You must be able to talk the talk as well, and that means knowing all of the poker terminology. Here we have compiled a list of words that will help you get your lingo on!
Antes – The small bet that all players must make before a hand begins. This bet helps to build the pot right from the start, and also helps to deter people from making bad calls.
Flop – The third card that is dealt face up on the table. The flop is community card that everyone can use, and it usually opens the betting for the hand. The flop is an important part of the game, because it can drastically change the value of your hand.
Call – To call is to match the last person’s bet or raise. It’s an important word to know because it allows you to control the size of the pot and prevent your opponents from making bad calls against your strong hands.
Don’t Get Too Attached to Good Hands – Pocket kings and queens are very strong hands, but they will never win on the flop. If the flop contains lots of aces, it’s time to fold even if you have kings or queens.
Keep a Solid Range of Hands – Develop a core range that you stick to and try to beat it as much as possible. Your pocket pairs, suited aces, broadway hands, and best suited connectors should be a big part of your starting range.
Observe and Learn – Observing your opponent’s behavior is crucial in this game. Look for patterns that can tell you what kind of player they are and how to play them. There are four basic player types: LAG’s, TAG’s, LP Fish, and super tight Nits. Classifying your opponents will allow you to exploit their mistakes and improve your own gameplay.
To become a master at poker, you must be able to read the game and apply your knowledge to the tables. Observe the action and listen to your opponent’s betting, as this will provide clues into their hands and their thought process. Once you understand how to read the game, it’s time to practice. Apply your newfound skills to a real-life poker table and see how well you do. Keep in mind that your skill level will increase every time you move up a stake, so start small and work your way up! Good luck, and have fun! The world of poker is your oyster!