”It takes five minutes to learn poker, but it takes a lifetime to master it” – stands the famous quote about Texas Hold’em by poker legend Mike Sexton. If you don’t know how to play poker yet, it’s time to start your lifelong journey!
The beauty of poker is that on the surface, it looks like a very simple game, but as a player gets more and more experience, they will understand how complex this game really is. It’s interesting to think about whether the creators of the game were truly aware of the complexity of the game, or whether they just invented a seemingly simple game that eventually grew into the poker that is played today.
While the quote in the beginning of the article might look like an exaggeration, it is true that learning the basics of poker is an easy task, but mastering the game takes a long time.
While going to the casino and sitting down at the poker table might look like the best way to learn, the truth is that practicing Texas Hold’em Online is a much more comfortable way to get some experience in the game.
At the beginning of a hand, players are dealt two cards face down and after a betting round, three cards are dealt face-up on the board.
The objective of the game is to create the best possible five-card hand, combining your hole cards (the two face down cards you were dealt) with the board. After the three face up cards (the flop), there is another betting round and a fourth community card is dealt (the turn).
After another betting round, the final community card (the river) is dealt and there is one more betting round. Players have several in all betting rounds: check, fold, bet and raise (if there has been a bet before you). After the river betting round, there is a showdown and the best hand wins.
Learning the rules and hand strenghts takes only minutes, but figuring out the optimal strategy based on your opponents and their playing tendencies is what makes poker really interesting. Mathematics, psychology and social reading skills (is he nervous because he has a big hand, or because he is bluffing?) are all important aspects of the game which is what makes poker a hugely popular pasttime all over the world.
