The game of poker involves a combination of skill, psychology and probability. It is played by two or more players and involves betting in which players place chips into the pot in order to make a winning hand. While the game does involve some chance, the application of skills will eliminate most of the variance.
The first step in learning the game is to understand the basic rules. This includes understanding how the betting system works (players are forced to put in money before they see their cards each round), knowing what hands beat what and memorizing the order of them (a royal flush beats a straight, three of a kind beats two pair, etc.). It is also important to know how to properly deal a hand. This includes dealing the starting cards (which are only visible to the player) and then bringing in five community cards.
Another good way to learn is by watching and playing with more experienced players. This allows you to learn how other players react in different situations and helps you develop quick instincts. However, be aware that there are some things that are generally frowned upon in poker such as string-betting, which is when a player announces they will call or raise a previous bet before their turn comes up.
Another good tip is to practice in smaller stakes games to minimize financial risk and allow you to experiment with different strategies without feeling pressured. Lastly, be sure to dedicate time after each practice session to reviewing your decisions and identifying areas for improvement (using software like hand history tracking, coaching sites or neural networks).