One of the first things new players should do is learn about starting hands and position. These are the fundamental building blocks of any poker strategy. Getting them right will set the stage for your decision-making throughout the hand.
Say you have pocket kings on the deal (not great, but not bad). When betting starts you say “check” to pass the turn (the fourth card, the river). The player to your right raises a dime. You can call, re-raise or fold. When you say “raise” you put more money into the pot than the last person, thereby increasing your chances of winning.
Another important concept to understand is that poker hands are ranked by category, meaning any hand in a higher category beats a hand in a lower category. This is unlike contract bridge, where suits are of equal value. So a high straight beats a low one, but not a wraparound (high-to-low) straight.
You also need to learn about betting methods. When a player says “call,” it means they want to make a bet that is equal to the highest one made so far on that round. If the player to your left makes a raise, you can call or re-raise.
If you have a strong hand, you should bet often. This will force weaker hands out, and increase the value of your pot. However, be careful not to get too carried away and go all-in with terrible cards. This is known as a bad bluff and will eventually lead to disaster.