Poker is a card game played between two or more players and involves betting. The goal of the game is to win a pot which is the total of all bets made during one deal. The player with the highest ranked hand wins the pot.
Each hand starts with 2 cards dealt to each player. There is then a round of betting. Players can either check (pass on betting), raise or fold. A raise is a bet higher than the previous player’s. If you raise, the player to your right must match your bet or forfeit their hand.
After the first betting round is complete a third community card will be dealt face up, this is called the flop. This starts another betting round and gives you a chance to improve your poker hand. You can also bluff during this round which is a great way to improve your poker strategy.
The final stage is the river, this is when a 5th community card is revealed and a final betting round takes place. The winner of this final betting round is the person who has the best poker hand.
There are many different types of poker hands but the most common ones are; Straight, Flush & Three of a Kind. A Straight is 5 consecutive cards of the same rank, a Flush is 5 cards of the same suit that all share the same suit (i.e. Ace High). It is recommended to practice and watch experienced players in order to develop quick instincts. Learn their tells, this means observing things such as eye movements, idiosyncrasies and betting behavior.