There are a lot of things you need to be good at to play poker. Getting dealt good cards is essential, but the game also requires a strong mental game and an ability to read other players. Many books are written about particular strategies but it’s best to develop your own instincts by observing experienced players and trying out different approaches.
Initially each player has two private cards. Once these are revealed there is a round of betting that begins with the player to the left of the dealer. When that betting is over the dealer puts 3 more cards on the table that anyone can use (the community cards). This is called the flop.
Then another betting round occurs with the player to the left of the dealer again starting the action. Depending on the type of poker game played this may be followed by a final betting phase. This is where the final hand will be determined.
When playing poker it’s important to keep your opponents guessing as to what you have. This is a key component of deception in the game and it will help you get paid off with your big hands as well as make your bluffs more effective. This can be done through subtle physical tells but a lot of the time it’s done by studying patterns. For example if someone is calling everything then it’s safe to assume they are playing a weak hand.