Poker is a card game played with anywhere from two to ten players at a table. Each player puts in an amount of money called a blind or ante. Then they are dealt cards that are hidden from the other players, known as hole cards. The best five-card hand wins the pot. The game has many different variations, but all share some basic rules.

Each betting round starts when a player to the left of you puts in a bet. You can either “call” that bet by putting the same amount into the pot as the player before you, or you can raise it. If you raise, the player to your left must put in a similar amount of chips or fold.

After the first betting round is over the dealer deals 3 additional community cards face up on the table. This is the flop. Then there is a third betting round, then the fourth and final one, called the river. At this point, all of the players have to decide if they want to continue on to “the showdown” with their poker hand or not.

As a beginner, it is important to only gamble with money that you are willing to lose. It’s also a good idea to track your wins and losses to help you get a feel for the game and make more informed decisions. Never jump into a hand without a plan, and be sure to take breaks if you need to (for example to go to the bathroom or refresh your drink). It’s courteous to let others know that you’re going to sit out of the hand if needed.