Poker is a card game that pits players against each other in order to determine who has the best five-card poker hand. Each player starts with two cards that only they can see and use and then three cards are dealt face up on the table called the flop. Once this betting round is over the dealer puts another card on the table that everyone can use (called the turn) and then a final card is put on the table which everybody can use (called the river).
There is a lot of nuance in poker but the overall goal should be to play the player, not the cards. This means that your opponent’s cards will usually dictate whether or not you should call a bet. For example, you could hold a fantastic hand like K-K but the other player is on A-A and your kings are losers 82% of the time.
Beginners should also learn to watch for poker tells. These aren’t the subtle physical poker “tells” that many people think of but rather the patterns that certain players tend to have in their betting habits. For example, if a player has been calling all night and then makes a big raise it is likely because they have a great hand.
Position is important because it gives you cheap bluffing opportunities. It is common for players in early positions to limp into a pot but this should be avoided. Even if you have a weak hand it is often worth betting because a good bluff can be enough to make your opponents fold.