Poker is a card game where players compete to make the highest ranked hand of cards. Each player is required to place a small, mandatory bet before they see their cards (the small blind and the big blind) which creates a pot immediately and encourages competition at the table.
When the flop is dealt there is another round of betting, this time starting with the player on the left of the dealer. At this point if you are holding pocket kings or queens it is important to be cautious especially if there is an ace on the flop. A good tip is to study your opponents and watch them play, you can learn so much about their gameplay this way.
After the flop is dealt there is a third community card that everyone can use (the turn). Once again there is another round of betting. If you have a strong hand at this stage you should bet aggressively to ensure that you take the money from other players.
The final card, the river, is dealt and if any player has a five-card poker hand they win the pot. If you are not holding a strong poker hand then it is better to fold rather than waste your money by continuing. It is a negative sum game and more money is lost at the poker tables than won, this should always be kept in mind. You should never bet more than you can afford to lose, tracking your wins and losses will help you stay on top of your game.