The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game in which players wager chips (representing money) into a pot based on the strength of their hand. It is played in private homes, poker clubs, in casinos, and on the Internet. Poker is often described as a game of chance, but there is a considerable amount of skill involved in the game.

The game begins with all players receiving 2 hole cards. There are then one or more betting intervals based on the specific poker variant being played. During each betting round, the player to the left of the dealer places a mandatory bet called the blind into the pot. The player then has the option to call, raise, or fold his/her hand.

Once the action on the flop has concluded, another card is dealt face up. This is called the turn. If the player does not have a strong enough hand, he/she will likely fold on the turn and lose the opportunity to win a larger pot. If the player has a strong enough hand, he/she should continue to increase the value of the pot by betting aggressively on the turn and river.

Tight opponents are easy to exploit in the poker game. When you are short-stacked and your opponent is tight, consider min-raising to 2 big blinds from late position or even pushing all-in on the flop. This is a great way to steal blinds and orphaned pots from your opponents. You can also try to widen your shoving range when you think you have the best hand, but remember that this strategy is only effective against opponents who do not know your hand strength.