Despite its reputation as a game of chance, poker has quite a bit of skill involved, particularly when betting is introduced. This article is intended as a basic introduction to the rules of poker, for more information on this game, I recommend getting a book on it (or playing with people who know how).
The game begins when one or more players make forced bets. These bets are called an ante or a blind bet. The dealer then shuffles the cards and deals them out to the players, beginning with the player to their left. Cards may be dealt face up or down, depending on the variant of poker being played.
After the initial deal, the first of many betting rounds begins. Each player is then required to reveal their cards, and in some cases, can exchange their cards with the rest of the table in order to improve their hand.
The highest hand wins the pot. This hand must consist of two distinct pairs of cards, a flush or straight. If no one has a pair, the high card breaks ties. If you have a hand that doesn’t meet the criteria for a winning hand, it is a good idea to fold. This will help you avoid betting money that you don’t have to, and will give you a better chance of winning the next hand. It is also important to always play your position intelligently. If you have a strong value hand, bet it strongly pre-flop. This will force weak hands to call, and increase the value of your pot.