The game of poker is a card game played between two or more players. It involves betting, raising and folding based on the strength of one’s hand, as well as assessing what other players are holding. The game can also include bluffing. Poker is considered a game of skill, and it takes more than just luck to be a good player over the long-term.
The first thing you should do to get a feel for the game is learn some basic strategy. This means memorizing the rankings of hands and knowing what beats what (ie. a flush beats a straight, three of a kind beats two pair, etc).
After this you should start playing games for real money. When you play for money you should try to play against the worst players that you can find. This will increase your win rate and make you a better player overall.
Lastly, you should study some of the more obscure poker variations. This can help you develop a more diverse strategy, as well as learning about different cards, hand types and rules of the game.
The most important thing to remember when starting out is that your opponent’s actions are just as important as your own. Too many new players look for cookie-cutter advice, such as “always 3bet x hands” or “always check-raise your flush draws.” Instead you should focus on understanding what your opponent is holding and making moves that maximize your chance of winning against their hand.