Poker is a card game of skill and chance in which each player bets against the other players. The highest poker hand wins the pot, but ties are sometimes broken by higher unmatched cards or secondary pairs (in a full house). There are many different variants of poker. Each variant has its own rules and strategies.
The game begins with each player placing an ante into the pot, which is a sum of money put down by each player before the dealing of cards. Once the antes are placed, each player is dealt 2 cards face-down that are hidden from other players. The first betting phase starts with the player to the left of the blinds.
After the pre-flop betting phase, 3 more cards are dealt face up and revealed to all players. The players then have the option to check, call, raise or fold.
The poker game requires a certain amount of uncertainty, similar to life. In order to make decisions under uncertainty, whether in poker or in life, it is important to understand the probability of different scenarios and outcomes. It is also important to know how to differentiate between what is known and the unknown, between what is controllable and what is not. This process is called Thinking in Bets, which involves estimating probabilities and making informed choices under uncertainty. It is a useful tool for navigating life’s uncertainties, including those encountered in poker.