Poker is a card game played from a standard 52-card deck (although some games use multiple packs or add cards called jokers). The ranking of the cards are Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2. Each player forms a hand and bets money into the pot with each turn. The highest-ranking hand wins the pot.

The first round of betting begins after all players receive their 2 hole cards. Two mandatory bets called blinds are placed in the pot by the two players to the left of the dealer. Then one more card is dealt face up to begin the next betting phase. This is the flop.

Once the flop has been dealt, each player gets a better look at their hands and can decide whether to raise or fold. Bluffing is an important part of the game but it’s usually best to wait until you’re more comfortable with relative hand strength.

It’s okay to sit out a hand if you need to use the bathroom, refresh your drink, or grab a snack. However, don’t leave your seat for more than a few hands in a row. This is unfair to the rest of the table and can cause problems for other players. It’s also important to keep your cards in sight. Keeping your cards hidden can make it difficult for other players to see the strength of your hands and can result in bad beats.