Poker is a card game where players make bets against one another with the aim of winning the money put into the pot. It is possible to play the game with any number of players, but in the case of a poker tournament the ideal number of players is 6.
The first round of betting is initiated by 2 mandatory bets called blinds put into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. Then each player receives two cards face down and there is a decision to hit or stay depending on the strength of their hand.
Once the preflop betting is complete the dealer deals three more cards on the table that anyone can use, called the flop. There is another round of betting and if a player has the best 5-card poker hand they win the pot.
Many new players play too cautiously and don’t raise their bets when they should. This leaves them open to being beaten by stronger players who don’t have the same fear of losing their bankroll. Having a premium opening hand like a pair of Kings or Queens is an excellent reason to bet aggressively and assert your dominance right from the start at a 6-max table. Stronger players don’t have any sympathy for weaker players and will often see them as easy pickings. This is why it’s essential to learn how to read your opponents and understand their betting patterns.