Poker has become a card game enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Its origins are obscure, but it is likely that it derived from a game known in the sixteenth century as Pochen and, later, under its French name of Poque.
Poker is a betting game in which each player must place chips into the pot in order to be dealt cards. Players usually buy in for a fixed amount (the amount varies by game but is typically less than a dollar) and then bet on their hand. The highest hand wins the pot.
Once the initial betting round is complete the dealer deals three cards face up on the table called the flop. Then a second betting round takes place. After the second betting round the dealer deals a fourth community card that everyone can use called the turn. The final betting round is then completed with the fifth community card being revealed called the river.
A basic strategy that many pro players use is to only play the best of hands. This is a great idea when trying to make money, but it is not the way to have fun. If you are having fun you want to be playing a wide variety of hands.
It is important to understand that it is ok to sit out a hand from time to time. However, you should never do so repeatedly and for extended periods of time as this will take away from the experience and make other players feel bad about it.