The key to learning poker is to practice and play often. This will allow you to develop quick instincts in the game. You can also learn from watching other experienced players to see how they act and react.

The first step is to find a local game that meets your schedule. Many cities have weekly or monthly poker nights at bars, casinos, or private homes. You can even ask around to see if anyone in your social circle hosts a poker game at their house. This is a great way to get a feel for the game in a comfortable and friendly environment.

Once you’ve found a local game, you can start out by playing for fun or even with a small amount of money. It’s important to practice good bankroll management so you don’t lose all your money. If you’re serious about learning the game, you can ask the host to set a buy-in limit so you can learn how to bet within your means.

When betting starts you’ll be given two cards and the dealer will put three community cards face up on the table (the flop). Everyone gets another chance to check, raise or fold. The dealer then puts a fifth card on the board that anyone can use (the river).

The winner of each hand is decided by the rank of the highest card in the hand. A full house consists of 3 matching cards of one rank and 2 matching cards of another. A flush is 5 cards that skip around in rank but are all the same suit. A pair consists of 2 cards of the same rank, while three of a kind is made up of 3 matching cards of any rank.