Poker is a card game with millions of fans and has a lot of psychological elements. It is a game of chance but it can be a game of skill too. In this article I will cover some of the basics, for more information I recommend reading a book on the game (or getting together with friends and learning it in person).
Each player gets 2 cards face up for a starting hand. Then there is a round of betting (initiated by 2 mandatory bets called blinds put into the pot by players to the left of the dealer) before another card is dealt.
The best poker hands are the ones that have a high probability of winning and aren’t too reliant on chance. These hands contain 3 matching cards of one rank, two matching cards of another rank and a fifth unmatched card. The highest ranking hand is a straight, followed by a flush, then three of a kind, and finally pair.
Top players will often fast play strong hands, which means that they don’t hesitate to bet early in the hand. This helps build the pot and potentially chases off opponents who might have a better hand than yours. It is also important to learn how to read your opponents, this involves observing their facial expressions, gestures and breathing. A good knowledge of these tells can help you to decide whether or not they have a strong hand and to avoid making big bets on weak hands.