Poker is a card game of strategy and chance. Its most important feature is the ability to disguise the strength of your hand. You can win large pots with a very weak hand if you are good at bluffing and your opponents are misplaying their hands.
While there are many variants of the game, all poker involves being dealt cards and betting over a series of rounds until one player has the best five-card hand in a showdown. A small amount of money called an ante is placed into the pot before the hand begins. This helps to give the pot a value right away.
When the hand starts the dealer deals three cards face up on the table that anyone can use, this is called the flop. Then everyone gets a chance to raise or fold their hand.
After the flop is dealt a fourth card is placed on the board that everyone can use, this is called the turn. Then everyone gets a final chance to bet.
When you first start playing poker you will make a lot of mistakes. This is okay, it is the nature of poker. But you should always keep improving your game and trying to learn as much as possible. You will eventually get a better handle on this game and not make as many mistakes.