Poker is a great game for teaching children about math and interpersonal skills. It’s also a fun way to help them develop problem-solving skills, and to teach them how to think strategically when making decisions. It’s also a great way to teach them how to handle loss.

When playing poker, the first step is to learn the rules. You’ll need to understand how the game is played, including the different betting intervals. You’ll also need to know which hands beat others. There are a lot of resources online that will teach you the rules and strategies of poker.

Aside from knowing the rules of poker, you should also practice your poker etiquette. This means not talking while you’re dealing cards, keeping your cards face down unless you’re showing them, and not using them to help another player with their hand. It’s also important to always shuffle the deck after every hand.

Once the players have their 2 hole cards there’s a round of betting starting with the player to the left of the dealer. They will then put in 2 mandatory bets called blinds into the pot before they see their cards. The dealer then deals 3 more cards on the table that anyone can use. This is known as the flop.

When deciding whether to call or fold during a poker hand, you should consider the odds of hitting your desired poker hand and the potential return on investment. This will help you avoid the costly mistakes that can occur when trying to chase a draw.