Poker is a card game in which players bet chips (representing money) into a pot, with each player betting according to the rules of the particular variant being played. Each player is required to make a contribution to the pot at least equal to the sum of contributions made by the players before him. A player may also choose to call a bet, raise it, or drop out of the hand.
After each player has received their two hole cards, there is a round of betting, which starts with the player to the left of the dealer. Then a third and final card is dealt, this is called the turn. This is when there are a number of different betting options, the most common being to check, call or raise.
Top players know that poker is based on situations rather than the strength of your hands. Therefore a good strategy is to play the player, not the hand. This is because the hands you hold will only be strong or weak in relation to what the other players are holding. For example, if another player has A-A your kings will lose 82% of the time.
Always remember to be polite and courteous to other players and never get frustrated or angry, as this is not conducive to good poker playing. It is also important to take breaks and only play the game when you feel like you can perform at your best. If you do not feel that you are in the right mental state to play poker, then quit, it is better to save your hard earned cash than risk losing it due to bad emotional decisions.