Almost everyone has played poker, whether with friends for money or “play” money, at a real casino, or even online. Whilst the more popular games like Texas Holdem are supe popular and relatively easy to learn, there are still nuances in the sport that can easily go unnoticed leaving you vulnerable to losing more often than winning.

Since your goal is to strive toward getting the best poker hands, you first need to strategise the cards you have been dealt. For example, did you know the best hand you can obtain is a royal flush? This poker hand includes a 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace all of the same suit. Similarly to the royal flush is the straight flush which is a bit easier to get but difficult nonetheless. A straight can be any sequence of cards of the same suit such as 2,3,4,5,6 of hearts, as an example.

If you can’t get a flush then the next best hand you’ll want to strive for is a four-of-a-kind. However, just like a royal flush is better than a straight the same applies to a four-of-a-kind. Therefore, 4 aces will fare better than 4 of any other cards. Next in line would be a full house. This involves 3 of one number and 2 of another number, such as 3 9’s and 2 Jacks.

As long as gambling has existed there have been people trying to beat the odds, some by any means necessary such as cheating. One of the more popular techniques is card counting. Although to do it effectively you must be very sly and cautious as it’s against the rules of any casino.

When it comes to gambling the moment you place your bet the odds are stacked in favour of the house, not you! The idea of card counting, which requires an excellent memory as well as good math skills, is to keep track of which cards have been dealt so you can make a better guess as to which cards you’ll receive on next deal.

Dealers will try to thwart those trying to card count and one way they do this is include more than one deck in the holding case from where the cards are dealt from. The dealer at any time may decide to reshuffle the deck so you really need to be on your toes.

The general rule is, as you keep mental track of how many cards have been dealt as well as which cards have been passed out, if you notice the deck is heavy with high value cards, such as Jacks, Queens, Kings, Aces etc. then you should bet more. You have a greater chance of getting high value cards in your next deal.

Once again, counting cards may improve your chances of winning but be careful because if you get caught you could lose your cash as well as being permanently barred from the casino.