A game of poker is a game in which players compete for chips and the pot. The game has betting intervals in which the first player to bet has the privilege and obligation to do so. Each player then puts into the pot the number of chips equal to the contributions of the players before him. These players are known as active players. A player can cut from the dealer or another active player during the course of a game. The dealer has the last right to shuffle.

The high card in a hand breaks a tie. In a typical game, the highest hand wins the pot. A second pair wins the pot if it contains two cards higher than the high card in the hand. However, in a poker variation without a pair, a straight or a flush is more likely to win. A gutshot is a rare hand to win, but it is one of the most common in tournaments.

Players can participate in a poker game with as many as nine or more players. The optimal number of players is six to eight players. The game involves betting and using cards to create the best hand. The highest hand wins the game. During the process of betting and calling, players must evaluate the value of their hand and the probability of a winning hand. If the opponents are not paying attention to the hands they hold, the player with the highest hand wins the pot.