Poker is a game of incomplete information where the players have two cards in their hand and five community cards on the table. The aim is to make the best 5-card hand based on the card rankings and win the pot (all of the chips bet so far). Each player puts in the first round of betting voluntarily and then acts as they see fit for a variety of reasons which can include bluffing and trying to maximise their profits.
The initial forced bets are known as the blinds and are put into the pot by the two players to the left of the dealer. After the blinds, a 3rd card is dealt, called the flop. A further round of betting then takes place and players can decide to call, raise or fold. This is where your knowledge of the other players is important; for example, a pair of aces is a good hand against one player but is much less valuable against four players.
The skill in poker is in learning to separate the unknown from the known, and to understand how you can improve your chances of winning in a situation. This can involve detailed self-examination or even discussing your hands and playing style with others for a more objective view of your strengths and weaknesses. It is also about managing your bankroll, setting goals for each session and focusing on the factors that are within your control.