When learning a game like poker, it can take some time to get your foundation in place. You will inevitably make mistakes when starting out, but it is important to learn from them and not let them discourage you. Eventually, you will be able to build a strong poker game from the foundation that has been laid.
Before the cards are dealt there will be an initial amount of money put into the pot (a mandatory bet) called antes or blinds. These are placed by the players to the left of the button or dealer. This will help give the players an incentive to play.
After the first betting round is completed the dealer will deal three cards face up on the board that anyone can use. This is called the flop. There will be another round of betting on this.
Then 1 more card will be dealt face up, this is called the turn. There will be a final round of betting. The player with the highest hand wins the pot.
A high hand is one that contains four of a kind or higher, this includes straights, three of a kind, and flushes. Low hands are ones that contain no pairs or high cards, this includes two pair and one pair. A good kicker, or the fifth card in a low hand, will usually be an ace. Having a good kicker can mean the difference between a win and a loss.
