Poker is a card game with the objective to make the highest ranking five-card hand. It is a game of skill, and to excel at it, you need to learn the rules, the hand rankings and how to read the board.

You can start by reading a book on poker theory or download an app that will teach you the basics of the game. It is also important to spend some time watching poker games online. There are a number of websites that offer free live poker games that you can use to get started and learn the basic rules.

When you are first starting out it is best to play low stakes games and work your way up. This will allow you to gain more experience without having to worry about losing your money. It is also a good idea to start by playing with an empty pot to avoid any potential losses.

Once all players have received their 2 hole cards there is a round of betting that starts with the player to the left of the dealer. If you think that your hand is too weak then you can say hit and the dealer will give you another card.

Once the flop has been dealt there is a third community card that everyone can use and bet on. Then there is a fourth community card that is dealt face up and is called the turn. At this stage the player can bet again and raise if they wish.