The game of poker has been around for a long time now and is still one of the most popular card games in the world. It is a great game to play with friends, but it can also be an excellent way to learn about betting strategies and the theory behind the game.

A good starting point to learn poker is understanding the different types of hands that you can make. There are a number of basic hands that every player should know, and it is important to remember that the strength of your hand is not just the cards in your hand, but also what other players are holding.

Once you have a basic grasp of the types of hands that can be made in poker, it is important to understand how to read your opponents. This is done by learning about ranges, which are groups of hands that a player is likely to hold.

After the 2 personal cards are dealt, the first round of betting takes place. Then the dealer puts down the flop and everyone checks again.

The flop contains 3 community cards that are revealed and there is another betting round. The flop can make or break your poker hand. For example if you have pocket kings and the flop comes with an ace you should be very cautious, or even fold your hand. The other players are likely to have a very strong hand and the odds are very bad that you will win with yours.