There are many poker games, but at their core, they’re all about dealing cards and betting over a series of rounds. The goal of poker is to form the best possible hand based on card rankings, and win the pot at the end of each round. Players can choose to call when they believe they have a good chance of winning, or fold when they don’t think they can win.
Each player starts the game by purchasing a certain amount of chips (usually the minimum amount of white chips). Each chip is worth a specific value. The smallest chip, usually the white one, is worth one unit; the most valuable, often the blue one, is worth five units. Players then place these chips in the middle of the table to signify that they are ready to play.
Once everyone has their cards, they begin to reveal them. Each player must reveal at least one card of the same rank as the highest card in the middle of the table in order to stay in the hand. If they can’t, they must “fold.”
A few unwritten rules govern poker etiquette. These rules are designed to ensure that the game runs smoothly and fairly for all of the players. If you’re new to poker, it’s important to familiarize yourself with these rules to avoid embarrassing yourself or putting other players at risk of embarrassment. In addition, learning these rules can help you become a better poker player by showing respect to your opponents.