Poker is a game of chance, but it can also be a game of skill. Players can control the amount of luck involved in a hand by making bets that are good for their long-run expected value, and by developing a strategy based on probability, psychology and game theory. Even though luck will always play a role, the better players can often make enough adjustments to become break-even or better at the table.
The first thing to do when playing poker is learn the basic rules of the game. Essentially, each betting interval (or round) begins when one player places chips into the pot. All of the players to his left then have the option to call the bet, raise it or fold. Players must place into the pot at least as many chips as the player that called it in order to stay in the hand.
When it is your turn to act, try to avoid getting involved with weak hands. Beginners should play very tight until they gain some experience. Position is incredibly important in poker because it allows you to play more strong hands and to read your opponents better.
You should also familiarize yourself with the poker hand rankings. This will help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of each type of hand. For example, a full house is a hand that contains three cards of one rank and two matching cards of another rank. A flush is a hand that contains five cards of consecutive ranks in the same suit.