The game of poker is played between 2 people, and there are a number of rules that need to be adhered to. There are also a number of strategies that players can implement, such as reading opponents, bluffing and raising preflop, in order to make more money than they lose.
Before the cards are dealt, there is a round of betting, initiated by two mandatory bets placed into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. This creates an incentive to play and encourages competition for the hand.
Once the betting is complete, 3 more cards are dealt face up on the flop. The player can now choose to call, raise any existing bets or fold (sliding their cards away face-down). If a player calls and the flop is weak, they will likely fold their hand. If they call and the flop is strong, they will usually raise to price the worse hands out of the pot.
If no one is all-in before the final round of betting, there will be a showdown where the players reveal their cards and the winner is the player with the strongest hand. If there are multiple players with the same hand, then the winning hand is split into a main pot and side pots.
It is important to know what hands beat what, so you can make the correct decisions when betting. This includes knowing that a flush beats a straight, and three of a kind beats two pair. It is also important to be aware that the high card can break ties as well.