The game of poker is a game of chance, but with betting it becomes more of a game of skill and psychology. It is a game of ups and downs, at times you will be jumping for joy and other times despairing over your terrible luck. What will keep you going over the long run is your love for the game and a solid winning strategy.

If you are just starting out the best way to learn is by playing and watching others play. By observing the way experienced players react to certain situations you can learn to read the game and develop quick instincts. The more you watch and play the quicker your instincts will become, so take some time out of your next poker session to just sit back and observe.

Once you have the basics down it is time to start playing some hands. At the start of a hand each player is dealt two cards face down and then bets in a clockwise direction around the table. Then the dealer puts three cards on the table that everyone can use, known as the flop. Another round of betting then takes place.

The goal of the game is to make the best five card poker hand. This is done by making either a pair, straight, flush or full house. The highest hand wins, and ties are broken by the high card. Learn to read your opponents, and look beyond their cards, noticing things like fiddling with chips, wearing jewelry or other tells that will give you a clue as to the strength of their hands.