When it comes to poker, it’s all about the opponent. It’s a zero-sum game where you win by making money off other players’ mistakes. But mastering this game takes time and requires extensive experience playing countless hands in real games. The best way to learn is by dedicating a portion of your bankroll exclusively for poker and starting slow, one table at a time.
You should focus on your opponents’ betting patterns, reading their tells, and watching how they react to certain situations. In addition, you should study your own position and the impact of different bet sizes on your action range. For instance, if you play from an early position or in the blinds, your range should be tighter than if you were in the late positions.
The number of cards in a hand and the rank of those cards determines how strong or weak it is. There are 13 card ranks, and you receive two cards when dealt a starting hand. This translates to 169 possible rank combinations (ignoring suit).
While some starting hands are considered weak, most can be improved by adding a third card. For example, a pair of aces can become a high two-pair hand by adding an 8 or a 10. A high two-pair hand can also beat a high flush or straight draw. In addition, a Broadway + card (an ace and a card within four ranks) has a higher chance of making a straight than a low Broadway hand.