The Basics of Poker Strategy
Depending on the game rules, each player puts an initial amount of money into the pot before the cards are dealt. These are called forced bets and come in the form of antes, blinds, or bring-ins. The goal of poker is to form the best hand based on card rankings in order to win the pot at the end of each betting round.
The more you play poker, the more your intuition for the game will become ingrained and your ability to read situations and calculate EV will improve. Over time, you will be able to spot certain patterns that experienced players make and use these as an advantage when playing against them.
One of the most important aspects of poker strategy is knowing when to fold. Many beginner players will continue to bet with weak hands in the hopes that they can hit a lucky draw, however this is often a losing proposition over the long haul. The key is to recognize when your odds are good enough to continue playing and not get carried away by the desire to prove that you can be successful in the short term.
Studying experienced players is a great way to learn more about the game. Studying their mistakes can help you avoid costly errors in your own gameplay, and studying their successes can allow you to identify strategies that are beneficial for you and incorporate them into your own style of play.