What is poker about? Someone explain as if I'm a complete moron.

Took a mild interest in it since Magnus took it up, but I just...don't understand the concept. Every time I try reading up on it I get more confused. It's...just an odd concept. You have a bunch of cards, and you're supposed to guess what other people have by reading their body language? How the heck do you even mine that much information from seeing a happy or angry microexpression on someone else's face?

Someone explain as if I'm a drunken gorilla using his own poop for chess pieces plz

your descriptions....lol

Poker is a popular card game that involves skill, strategy, and a mix of luck. Players aim to construct the best hand possible using a combination of their own hidden cards and the shared community cards on the table. Throughout the game, players take turns betting, raising, or folding based on the strength of their hand and their perception of other players' intentions. The key to success in poker lies in mastering the art of bluffing, reading opponents' behavior, and making calculated decisions based on probability and psychological cues. The game's complexity and variability make it a captivating pastime enjoyed by both casual players and professionals alike.

I wouldn't mind trying, but I don't want to gamble actual money. Perhaps I'd gamble something harmless, such as 'loser has to do 10 push ups/squats/run one lap of the garden.'

I have fun playing poker with no stakes.

Harry the Horse loves "poker"

Oh, poker? It's just a simple, straightforward game where you sit around a table with a bunch of friends and throw money at each other while pretending to be serious. It's basically a highly sophisticated form of financial planning and a surefire way to become a millionaire overnight. Definitely the pinnacle of intellectual pursuits.

Poker.. huh. I have never played and never intend to

Why?

Some of the best videos on the topic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFQBcsNc1BQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx0iJ7h_b8o

The two channels themselves are likely the best two at explaining poker concepts. The videos are still quite difficult to grasp due to the extreme complexity of the game.

Live tells have their own importance but are only a small part of the game. Live players are also generally considered quite weak. All top online players crush live, no live player crushes online.

By the way Grischuk is an avid poker player who even played professionally back in the day when it was quite easy to make money relatively speaking.

When asked about his online poker endeavors in 2017 he answered:

Not anymore. Now if you want to achieve success in poker you need to devote your whole life to it. You simply can’t turn up and play, even on the internet, since the level of players has risen so much. Therefore you could say that poker is in the past.

No worries, poker can seem pretty confusing at first glance. Think of it like a strategic card game where you're trying to make the best hand of cards possible. It's not just about guessing what others have; it's also about using your own cards and the community cards on the table to make the strongest hand.
While some players do try to read others' body language, it's not the main focus. It's more about understanding the rules, knowing the odds, and making smart decisions based on the cards you have and how they compare to what's on the table.
If you're interested in giving it a try, platforms like https://olx88.co offer a variety of poker games where you can practice and learn more about the game.