Lesson 5. Starting Hands - What to Play and What to Fold

Lesson from the course

Poker from Zero to Regular in 13 Lessons

From complete beginner to profitable play - interactive course with visualizations and practical examples

• Poker from Zero to Regular in 13 Lessons

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Course curriculum

• Lesson 1. Your First Hand - What Is This All About?

  In poker, you get 2 hole cards that only you can see. This is your secret, your weapon against everyone else.

• Lesson 2. Hand Rankings - Your Path to Victory

  There are only 10 combinations in poker. From the weakest (high card) to the strongest (royal flush). Memorize them - and you're already halfway to victory!

• Lesson 3. Betting Rounds - The Poker Dance

  There are five basic actions in poker: Check, Bet, Call, Raise, Fold. All-in is a bet/raise for all chips. Speak in turn, verbally clear. If you said it - you must do it!

• Lesson 4. Position is Money!

  Position = information = money. In late positions (CO/BTN) decisions are made with most information, so they bring more EV. BTN/CO are often profitable, SB/BB — on average unprofitable due to playing without position.

• Lesson 6. Pot Odds - Simple Math of Profit

  Poker is mathematics disguised as a card game! Pot, bets, odds, blinds - everything obeys strict numbers. Learn poker math = double your winrate. Ignore math = lose money forever!

• Lesson 7. Reading the Board - What's on the Table

  After dealing cards, there are 3 streets: Flop (3 cards), Turn (1 card), River (1 card). On each street - new betting round. Your task: make the right decision on EVERY street!

• Lesson 8. Bet Sizing - How Much to Bet

  Draw - unfinished but promising hand. You need another card (or two) for strong combination. Count outs, count chances - make mathematically correct decisions!

• Lesson 9. Reading Opponents - Player Types

  Poker is a game against people, not cards. Quickly identify types and adjust — this is a direct path to EV+ decisions.

• Lesson 10. Bankroll - Money Management

  Best player in world will go broke without bankroll management! Simple rule: never sit at table with more than 5% of your money. Variance kills, management protects!

• Lesson 11. Bluff - The Art of Deception

  Bluff - important part of poker, but NOT main! Beginner should bluff RARELY. 90% time - play your cards. 10% - occasionally bluff in right situations. Less bluff = more money!

• Lesson 12. Showdown - The Moment of Truth

  Showdown - showing cards at the end of a hand. This is your chance to see opponents' hands and LEARN! Every showdown is information for the future. Remember!

• Lesson 13. Your First Tournament - Putting It All Together

  13 lessons behind you! Now you're not a beginner - you're a starting player with a foundation. Apply your knowledge, play disciplined, analyze. The path to pro starts now!