Poker is a card game that requires players to put in money (the amount of which varies by game) before they are dealt cards. Once betting is complete, the highest hand wins the pot. Players can call, check or fold their hands during the betting phase. It is possible to bet all of your remaining chips in a hand, this is known as an all-in bet and there are special rules for when and how this works depending on the game.
In addition to knowing the rules of poker, it is important to understand how much skill is involved. The more you play and study the game, the better you will become at it. You can also learn by watching experienced players and analyzing how they make decisions to develop your own instincts.
It is also important to discuss with your partner about how the time and money invested in poker affects your relationship and to come up with a way for both of you to be comfortable with it. This may require that you compromise on how much time you spend playing poker or the types of games that you play.
Finally, it is important to realize that poker is a gambling game and there are some people that do not see it as anything other than that. While it is true that the majority of players at any given table do not win any money, there are still many instances where a player with a strong hand can force out weaker hands and win the pot. It is for this reason that many jurisdictions have laws against poker or at least have strict regulations regarding the amount of money that can be won in a single round of play.