Learn2 Play Poker
You got to know when to hold 'em...
A game of poker is not so much a card game as it is a psychology class. It's said that good poker players can win more consistently by making accurate assessments of their fellow players' characters than by paying attention to the cards, and that's not too far off the mark. Knowledge, patience, and luck are all important factors in any poker game, but the truth is, not much can save an amateur's money from an experienced poker professional who's determined to get it.
Before You Begin:
Here's the general idea: most poker sessions are made up of many individual games, or "hands." Every player will "ante" up a token amount for the privilege of receiving their first cards. Based on those cards, the player will make an estimate of the chances of success. Every time an additional card(s) is added to the hand and another bet is required to continue, another estimate is made. The difficulties lie in knowing at what point to cut your losses and "fold," when to "bluff," when to play a mediocre hand, and how to increase the chance of acquiring a good hand.
Each player's "rhythm" will gradually emerge as the session progresses, and the good player will understand those rhythms well enough to make an educated guess as to the quality of their opponents' hands. Luck, of course, plays a large role, but a crafty player can still win on a night when the cards are running against them.
Keep in mind that a good session will last several hours, and set aside that time so that you won't be distracted by anything else that needs attention. It's important to concentrate on the task at hand.
Time:
A few minutes to learn, much longer to become proficient. A game of poker can last as long as the player's endurance (in casual play, it's a good idea to set a cut-off time before starting, since the losing parties are always motivated to keep playing).
What You'll Need:
- A standard 52-card deck of playing cards
- A table and chairs
- Ideally, five to seven players (poker is a bit strange with fewer than four players, and cumbersome with more than eight) but any number is okay.
- Some "chips" of various colors, each with an established value (you can use genuine poker chips or anything that's in abundant supply, so long as you agree upon the value of each item).
 | On To Step One: Learn The Common Goals And The Card Values |
| Skip To Step Two: Learn Five-Card Draw |
| Skip To Step Three: Learn Five-Card Stud |
| Skip To Step Four: Learn Seven-Card Stud |
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