Poker is a game of strategy and deception. Deception in poker refers to being able to make your opponents think you have something that you don’t, whether it’s the best hand or bluffing. You need to have a good balance of both of these strategies to be successful in poker.
Poker games are fast-paced and have multiple betting rounds. Each player places bets using their chips and then compares their hands at the end of each round to determine who has the highest ranking hand. The highest ranking hand wins the pot, which consists of all bets made by players in that particular round.
Position has a big impact on your starting hand range and strategy. Earlier positions like the SB and BB are at a disadvantage because they’re working with less information than their opponents. On the other hand, later positions are at a advantage because they can see how their opponent reacts to each situation before making a decision.
Every action you take, such as checking or calling a bet, sends a message to your opponents. Try to always have a reason for your actions, such as betting for value or bluffing. It’s also important to keep in mind that your opponents are also sending messages by the way they play. For example, if an opponent takes a long time before betting, this could indicate that they have a weak hand and that you should call their bet.