In poker, players bet money into a pot – the pool of betting money that accumulates during the course of a hand – until one player has a better hand than everyone else. The player with the best hand wins the pot. Players can also win by bluffing, but this requires some skill.
There are many different versions of poker, but the basics of the game remain the same. A hand of poker starts with two cards being dealt to each player. Players can choose to “call” (raise) or “check” (not bet). If a player calls, the betting continues in a circle around the table.
Once the betting has been completed, players reveal their hands. This process is called the showdown.
If a player has the strongest hand, they will fast-play it – raise and bet frequently, in order to build the pot size and chase off any other players who are waiting for a strong draw. The goal of a top player is to make this happen as often as possible.
Observe other players and learn their tells (eye movements, idiosyncrasies, hand gestures etc). Try to read them to understand how they play the game. This will help you build a solid understanding of your opponents and how to beat them. You should also read a few great poker books to help you on your journey to mastery. This includes works by Dan Harrington, Doyle Brunson and others.