Poker is a gambling game played with a standard deck of 52 cards. Players must try to create the best hand, and that hand wins the pot. If two players have the same hand, the high card breaks the tie.
The game is usually played with chips. Each player has a set number of chips. A red chip is worth five whites, a blue chip is worth ten or twenty whites, and a dark-colored chip is worth two, four, or five reds.
The first betting round begins with each player placing a bet. Next, the dealer deals the cards. These are typically face-down, but some variations are face-up. In some games, the dealer can choose to place all the cards in the middle, or deal them to one of the players.
Each of the players then puts the same amount of chips into the pot. The players may then raise their bets or call. If a player is forced to make a bet, he must show his cards.
After all the bets are placed, a final betting round is completed. This is called “showdown”. When the final round is complete, the highest hand wins the pot. However, if any players are all-in before the last round of betting, a “showdown” is not necessary.
In some versions of the game, the dealer can designate certain wild cards. For example, some games will allow players to use a joker as a wild card.
