In poker, players make hands using a combination of cards to compete for the pot, or total of all bets placed during a hand. The player who has the best hand wins the pot and the remaining bets are removed from play. Each hand begins with 2 hole cards being dealt to each player. There is then a round of betting, initiated by 2 mandatory bets called blinds from the players to the left of the dealer.
There is a lot of skill involved in poker, including patience, reading other players, adaptability and developing strategies. The most important thing is to stay committed to improving your game over time. While luck will always have a factor, you can increase the amount of skill that outweighs chance by doing things like studying bet sizes and position, managing your bankroll, and learning to read other players.
The best players are able to analyze their decisions and improve their games by studying their results. They also take the time to observe experienced players, and attempt to put themselves in their shoes to see how they would react to a particular situation. This helps to develop instincts that can be applied in future situations.