Poker is a game of chance and gambling that involves players putting money into the pot for each hand. It requires a fair amount of luck to get the best hands, but it also involves some psychology and skill. Players must first ante something (the amount varies by game, ours is typically a nickel). Then, once betting starts, each player has the option to call, raise or fold. Those who do not fold have the highest hand at the end of the hand, and that person wins the pot.
When a hand is over, the player to the left acts. Then the player to their left can either call or raise. When a player says call they are putting in the same amount as the last player. Raise means they are putting in more than the last player, and is a good way to make other players fold if you have a strong hand.
A key part of poker is understanding how to rank the cards you have in your hand, and how to compare them with those on the board. There are a lot of ways to do this, but the best approach is probably going to be reading a book on poker.
Another important aspect of the game is position. By knowing what position you are in, and how to play your hand relative to other players, you can increase your chances of winning the pot. This is especially true for hands that are hard to conceal, like straights and full houses, or a face card paired with a low kicker.