Poker is a card game where players place bets based on the value of the cards they hold, which are known as “hands”. The cards are usually made of plastic or ceramic, but players can also use cash to place bets. Poker chips are more convenient to handle than cash, and players can exchange them for cash when they’re done playing. Poker chips are also a good way to keep track of who’s won the game.

There are hundreds of different ways to play poker, but the basic rules are usually the same across all variants. For example, most forms of poker require players to make an ante, or “buy-in” bet, at the start of the game. This is usually a small amount, such as $1 or $5, and the ante is decided by the table. After the ante is placed, the dealer will deal the players two cards, and each player must then decide whether to bet, check, raise, or fold.

Every player in the game is dealt one card faceup and one facedown. The game is then interrupted for a betting interval. After three dealing rounds, each active player is dealt a new faceup card. A fourth betting interval follows, and the hole cards are revealed. The first bettor is the player who has the highest poker combination. This player must bet the pre-established minimum in the first betting interval, and he may check or raise in later betting intervals.