Depending on the rules of your game, one or more players will be required to place an initial amount into the pot prior to the deal (these are called antes, blinds, and bring-ins). The dealer then shuffles the cards and deals everyone a hand. Each player then acts in turn betting on the strength of their hand.
When it’s your turn to act, you have more information than your opponents, which makes bluffing easier and more effective. In addition, acting late gives you a better chance to steal the pot from someone who is making a big bet with a weak hand.
There is a lot of theory on hand strength, but it really comes down to the situation. For example, if you have pocket kings and the flop comes 10-8-5, your kings are losers 82% of the time! Having a premium opening hand, like a pair of aces or a pair of queens, is great for getting people to fold and giving yourself the best chance to win.
To play poker successfully, you need to have fast instincts. This is why it’s important to practice and observe experienced players. By observing how they react to certain situations, you can learn their tendencies and start to develop your own. The more you play and watch, the faster your instincts will become. Then, once all the bets are in and the showdown is over, the winner is determined. The person with the highest hand wins the entire pot.