Poker is a game of cards where players bet chips and either win or lose. There are dozens of variations of the game but most of them share the same basic mechanics. Players put in a small amount of money, called the blind or ante, before they are dealt cards. Then there are a series of betting rounds where each player can raise, call or fold their hand. The person with the best hand wins the pot – all of the bets made during that round.
Once the first betting round is over the dealer deals three additional cards face up on the table that everyone can use. This is called the flop and starts another round of betting. Then there is a final betting round when one more card, the river, is revealed. The player with the best 5 card poker hand wins the showdown and the pot.
Most beginner players think about poker hands in isolation, trying to put their opponent on a specific hand and then playing against it. However, it is much more effective to think about a hand in terms of its ranges. That way you will be able to make better decisions and improve faster.
As you play more and more poker you will start to develop a natural feel for things like frequencies and EV estimation. These concepts may seem intimidating at first but they will become second nature after a few sessions.