When playing poker, the aim is to use your cards in combination with other players’ to make the strongest five-card hand. This is achieved by betting around the table in one round of action, raising and re-raising as appropriate. There are many variations on the game, with some more complex than others, but they all share certain core elements.
Before a hand is dealt each player puts in 2 mandatory bets called blinds. These are put into a pot before the dealer deals each player 2 cards face down. Then there is a betting round which starts with the player to their immediate left.
After the first betting round is complete the dealer deals three more cards to the table which everyone can use (called the flop). There is another round of betting, which can see players raise and fold.
The next step is to deal a fifth community card, known as the river. There is a final betting round and then it’s time for the showdown where players reveal their hands.
One of the most important things to learn as a beginner is how to read other players. This isn’t as complicated as it sounds and isn’t based on subtle physical tells but rather patterns of how other players play. For example if you notice someone playing nervously with their chips a lot then they are probably holding a weak hand. Likewise, if a player bets all the time then they are likely playing strong hands.