Poker is a card game where players try to form the best hand based on the cards they have. The goal is to win the pot which is the total of all bets made by all players at the table. The highest-ranking hand at the end of each betting round wins the pot. This can be achieved either by having a strong hand (pair, full house, straight) or by bluffing and misdirecting your opponents.
Poker requires a lot of luck and a lot of mental toughness. It is not uncommon for beginners to lose their entire stack when they get a bad beat. It is important to remember that losses are part of the game and to not let them erode your confidence. It is also important to watch videos of the pros like Phil Ivey and note how they handle bad beats.
You must learn how to read your opponents and pay attention to their tells. These can be anything from fiddling with their chips to a nervous tic that they may have. Beginners must be able to pick up on these tells in order to have a chance of winning at poker.
It is important to play in late position because this gives you a huge advantage over your opponents. Being in late position allows you to see the flop and the turn before they are placed on the table, giving you better information for making your bets.