Poker is a game of strategy, risk-taking and confidence-building. Self-made billionaire Jenny Just, co-founder of PEAK6 Investments, says learning to play the card game has taught her valuable lessons about business and life. “The skills that you learn in poker, I see now, are so transferable to all areas of your life,” she tells Forbes.
To improve your poker game, you should practice counting frequencies and estimating EV (expected value). As you play more hands, these concepts will become ingrained in your brain, so you won’t have to think about them as much.
You will also need to understand poker terms, such as fold, call, and raise. You must also know what type of hand you have, and its rank. The highest ranking hand is the Royal flush, followed by four of a kind, then a straight, and finally three of a kind.
It’s best to start by playing with friends who have some experience. They can help you learn the ropes and teach you how to read other players. You can also ask around your community for people who host poker games at their homes. This is a great way to meet like-minded people in a comfortable, social environment.
Once you have a feel for the game, you can join online poker tournaments. These are usually free to enter, but you can still win real money if you’re good enough. Just remember to play within your bankroll. You should never gamble more than you are comfortable losing, and always track your wins and losses to keep your gambling in check.