Poker is a card game played with chips that you place in the center of the table. Your goal is to form the highest ranked hand of cards possible in order to win the pot at the end of the hand. To do this you have to bet often and with large amounts of money.
You must always be aware of your opponents and the table conditions. The law of averages dictates that you will lose most hands but it is crucial to know when to fold and be patient. The more you study the game the better player you will become.
Once the ante is placed and everyone has two cards they can check, raise or fold. The dealer then puts three more cards face up on the board that anyone can use called the flop. This allows everyone to raise or fold again. Then the dealer puts a fifth community card on the board that any one can use for the last time and the betting is again done. If a player is left with the best ranked hand then they win the pot which is all the bets that have been made during that particular hand.
Always be aware of your bankroll and only gamble with an amount you are willing to lose. This will prevent you from playing emotionally based games that can lead to poor decisions. In addition, it is recommended to track your wins and losses so you can see if you are improving or not.