How do you describe an apparently expressionless fellow? Most of the people will choose the phrase, 'poker faced' to describe a person with a limited facial expression. Then there are myriad other jargons that have become an integral part of American culture. Up the ante, ace in the hole, blue chip, wild card are some of them which are used randomly by all cross-sections of the population even by those who are completely unaware of the significance and link of the phrase with the game of poker.

It is funny not to know in details about the game that have become so much a part of our language and culture. Here are some basic information about the game of poker.

To begin with poker is a card game, probably the most popular of all the card games in the world. The connoisseurs of pokers would like to classify it as one of the vying games. Maintaining the same basic set of rules, pokers can be of multitude of variations:

Draw poker

In this variation, each player receives five or more cards. All the cards are however hidden. One or more of these cards can be replaced certain number of times.

Stud poker

In this variation, cards are given to the players one at a time. Players can display some of their cards to other players at the table.

Community card poker

Here individual cards can be combined with "community cards". In the most popular variations such as Texas hold 'em and Omaha hold 'em, two or four individual cards may be dealt in respectively.

If you want to play like a pro at the poker table keep in minds the following points:

Keen observation

Sharpen your skill of watching your opponent and you can best keep the watch at your opponent when you aren't in a hand. When you are not in the hand, you are not involved in the game and that is why it is possible to make more detailed observations. This is the time to watch for your opponent's styles of betting, that is how, what and when he bets. Watch how opponents bet, and how much they bet, in what position they are betting. You will learn best while imitating your opponent's style.

Master the art of bluffing

This is an intricate tool for securing a victory against your opponent. The efficacy of this tool lies in its infrequent and surprise uses. Too much use may make it ineffective. Make use of this trick only when there is least chance of being called by the opponent.

Reading

Most of the renowned poker players acknowledge the role of reading poker books in their success. Read extensively and compare them with your playing mistakes and achievements and soon you will develop your own unique style of playing.