Many poker players forget it is ok to fold. Paying to see extra cards is just a waste of your money in the long run. Many new poker players want to be involved with every hand, but that is not playing poker! Poker is simply a game of odds and percentages. If you are playing with two people and you have a pair of tens, you are in a good spot that is worth betting. Take the same pair and add in 8 players, your position is a little weaker. More people could mean more high pairs are out there that could beat what you have. The same logic applies in small or large games, do not bet to “stay around.” Only bet if you think you have a fighting chance to win!

When being dealt your cards a player must come up with some play standards in which they can decide to continue or fold and must stick to their standards, regardless if they feel like “this is the hand.” Again, depending on what type of poker you are playing could determine what defines “good cards” but coming up with your standard will save you from making an emotional bet and losing money you should not have bet in the first place!

Let’s start with the basics, how does a round of Texas hold ‘em get played? First, there are the blinds. This requires two people, the big and little blinds, to put in the ante. Big blind puts in the full amount, little blind puts in half. Once that has been placed, the dealer will hand out two cards to each player. A round of betting will take place start with the person to the left of the large blind. Each person has three options. They can put in an amount equal to the ante, raise the ante or fold. The small blind, if they want to continue to play, needs to put in the other half of the ante or fold and then the big blind would have the option to raise or check.

Once that round is done, the dealer will lay three cards on the table face up, making the total number for each player 5 cards. A second round of betting will take place again with each person having the option to check if no bet has been placed, if a bet has been placed they need to see it or can always raise it. Upon the completion of that round, one single card will be turned over, again, followed by a round of betting. Finally, the last card is dealt for a total of 7 cards each player has to work with and can make the best combination of any 5 cards. Once the last card is dealt it is the final round of betting. No more cards are coming and each player must try to win by any means necessary!