Poker is a game of cards in which players bet into the pot at the end of each hand. The highest hand wins the pot. Players can also bluff, in which case they can force weaker hands to fold. Getting good at bluffing takes practice. A good poker player also learns to read the other players at their table. This involves paying attention to body language and the way a player responds to certain bets, as well as studying patterns and other tells.
To play poker, players ante something (the amount varies by game), then get two personal cards. A round of betting then begins. Then the flop is revealed. The players then decide whether to keep their current hand, call more money or fold. If they call, then the remaining cards are revealed and the winner is determined.
A straight is 5 consecutive cards of the same suit. A full house is 3 matching cards of one rank and 2 matching cards of another. A pair is two distinct cards of the same rank. A high card breaks ties if none of the above hands are present.
It’s important to be selective with your starting hands. You should try to play from late position or out of the blinds, as you will have an informational advantage over the rest of the table. This gives you a better chance of forcing weaker hands to fold, and increases the value of your own hand.