What is the basic idea of the game of poker?

For me poker is a social hobby that I enjoy with my friends. I do like to win of course but my games are naturally fun and with good company. Winning a few bucks at the end is a bonus!!

I think we are all trying too hard to win.
We put as much pressure on playing strong hands as we do when we are second best.
We make aces and refuse to give up, even on an extremely wet board where our opponent is showing us he has something strong by making big bets.
We call, end up losing and then...?
Maybe the best policy is, don't try so dam hard to win all the time, and know when you are second best.😎🎶🐎

To take the information available, process it, and come to conclusions and actions that in the long term is profitable.

Oh, and have fun while doing it. Supposedly.

Probability theory is a basic thing everywhere, just in poker, there are fish who cover the negative part that the poker room takes as profit. Fish - very bad players create exactly "dead money" and here are the regulars - those who earn money from poker, exactly and fight for this dead money.I don't recommend going to poker for super easy money, it's only in the movies. If you don't have the minimum perseverance and are thirsty for easy money, then poker is not for you.They say that when you start playing, at first your skill is 10% and luck is 90%. When you become an expert, it's the opposite.

BelFish said:

Not good cards and not good hands, but good situations )))

You should only play games in which you definitely have an advantage over the majority of players at the table...

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I agree. Even AA can get into a bad situation pre-flop. Imagine the bubble with AA, EP open jams 15bb, MP jams 40bb, and SB jams for 80bb. We are in the BB with AA 30bb. Splitting equity right on the bubble? Terrible situation.

to convince others that you have better cards than them by instilling fear through monetary bullying

You're always one step ahead of your opponent! 😉

luckyfish98 said:

We try to always expect good cards or a good hand
1.However, a very good hand loses and we feel cheated
2.Someone collects money with weak cards and we feel that this happened undeservedly

What do you think, what is the basic idea of the game of poker?

A too small percentage of players can survive only on poker and if it is just a game for fun, sometimes it requires a lot of money
There are known stories that people start with a fun, innocent game of poker, but after a while give it all - money, house, family, health.....

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Some people lose control, turning what starts as a casual game into a destructive habit. The nature of poker—luck combined with skill—can lure people into chasing losses or believing they’ll turn things around with just one more hand. This is where balance becomes essential: knowing when to walk away, treating it as entertainment, and setting clear boundaries.

Luck, math, reading people, and strategy.

Andrii Lubentsov said:

The basic idea is to win money.

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Indeed but there are many things needed to do that.

The basic idea of poker is a strategic battle of skill, psychology, and probability, where players aim to make the best decisions based on incomplete information while managing risk and reading opponents. It’s a game that combines elements of luck in the short term with skill dominating in the long run, rewarding patience, discipline, and adaptability. While poker can be a fun pastime, it also has a competitive and potentially lucrative side, leading some to pursue it professionally. However, the pursuit of success can become dangerous if players don’t manage their emotions, bankroll, and expectations. Stories of financial and personal ruin often stem from poor discipline, addiction, or unrealistic goals. Poker’s essence lies in decision-making under uncertainty, but its deeper challenge is balancing calculated risks with emotional control, making it both intellectually rewarding and potentially hazardous without proper limits.

luckyfish98 said:

We try to always expect good cards or a good hand
1.However, a very good hand loses and we feel cheated
2.Someone collects money with weak cards and we feel that this happened undeservedly

What do you think, what is the basic idea of the game of poker?

A too small percentage of players can survive only on poker and if it is just a game for fun, sometimes it requires a lot of money
There are known stories that people start with a fun, innocent game of poker, but after a while give it all - money, house, family, health.....

Click to expand...

The same as golf...frustrate the hell out of you!

luckyfish98 said:

We try to always expect good cards or a good hand
1.However, a very good hand loses and we feel cheated
2.Someone collects money with weak cards and we feel that this happened undeservedly

What do you think, what is the basic idea of the game of poker?

A too small percentage of players can survive only on poker and if it is just a game for fun, sometimes it requires a lot of money
There are known stories that people start with a fun, innocent game of poker, but after a while give it all - money, house, family, health.....

Click to expand...

I think the main idea of a card game is to have a good time and have fun. Money, which is the reward for winning, is a bonus and a mechanism that allows you to make the game even more interesting and unpredictable. For me, poker is just a hobby. But there are poor unfortunate people who can't control themselves, who are used to satisfying their animal instincts, and so such losers usually lose everything they have and sometimes even more.