Poker is a card game in which players bet on their hand by placing chips into the pot. They do this to force other players to call or fold. Players can also bluff to win by betting that they have the best hand when they do not.
When a player has a good hand they will place the majority of their chips in the pot. They do this by putting the chips on the table in front of them and stating how many they have, such as “I have $10”. When it is your turn to bet you can either raise or call. Calling means you will bet the same as the person to your right did and place your chips in the pot.
The dealer then deals three cards on the board that everyone can use. This is called the flop. After a betting round has taken place the dealer will put a fifth card on the table that anyone can use. This is called the river.
It is important to know what hands beat what. There are charts you can study that will give you a basic understanding of this. However, you will find that it is much more useful to develop good instincts and to learn how to read the game quickly. This will help you play better and avoid wasting money with a bad strategy. The more you play and watch experienced players the quicker your instincts will become.