The game of poker involves betting and the forming of hands. The goal of the game is to have a winning hand that beats the other players’ hands. The game can be played in cash or tournament format.
The dealer deals everyone cards and the first round of betting begins. There are usually multiple rounds of betting. Each player places a bet (often with chips) into the pot. Each chip is worth a different amount. A white chip is worth the minimum ante or bet; a red chip is worth five whites, etc.
After the first round of betting the dealer puts three cards face up on the table that everyone can use (this is called the flop). Then another round of betting takes place. Once the betting is complete the dealer puts a fourth card on the board that everyone can use (this is known as the turn).
Once you have your cards you can decide how to play them. Generally speaking you should only play strong hands, like pocket aces, kings, queens, jacks, or high suited cards. You should also be very careful in early positions, especially when playing against aggressive opponents.
Advanced players try to figure out the entire range of possible hands their opponent could have in a given situation. This is not something you can do on your own but you can learn to observe other players and try to read their behavior. This is not only done through subtle physical tells but also through patterns of how they bet and fold.