A card game, poker is played by two or more players and characterized by betting rounds. The object of the game is to win the pot, which is the sum total of all bets made during a deal. The game is played in homes, in clubs, and in casinos and it has become an international phenomenon with tournaments held around the world. There are a wide range of different variants of the game, but the basic rules are similar.
Once all the players have received their 2 hole cards there is a round of betting that starts with the player to the left of the dealer. Then the dealer deals 3 more cards face up on the table called the flop. After this there is another betting round. If you have a strong hand it is better to bet than to check as this will force weaker hands out.
When playing poker you should always play with money that you can afford to lose. Many of the best poker players began by simply sitting down at a table and playing against friends. There are also plenty of online poker courses to learn the game. These are usually delivered via video and will take you through sample hands and provide statistics to help you improve your game. Some of these courses are free and others cost a small amount of money to enroll in. You should always carefully choose an online poker course.