Poker is a card game in which players make bets on the strength of their hands. It is also a test of, and a window into, human nature. It’s a game where luck can bolster or sink even the most proficient player’s performance, so it’s important to have good bluffing skills and to know when to fold – and when to call.
Once everyone has 2 cards, a round of betting starts. There are two mandatory bets called blinds, put in by the players to the left of the dealer. These bets help to create a pot to win, and encourage competition.
When a player wants to put in more chips than the last person, they say “raise.” If you think you have a strong hand and want to raise, but don’t have enough chips to match the previous raiser, you can say “call,” which means you will only be putting in as much as the other player.
After the flop, another card is dealt face up on the table, and there’s another round of betting. If you have a strong hand, say “call” to keep playing. If you’re bluffing and think you have a good chance of winning, say “raise” to add more money into the pot. If you don’t think you can win with your current hand, say “fold.” This is important, because if you don’t have a strong hand and continue to call, other players will assume you’re weak and bet more aggressively against you.
