Poker is a card game played with a minimum of 2 players and a set of cards. The game is fast-paced and involves betting among players. The aim of the game is to make a five-card “hand” by using your own two cards and the 5 community cards. The highest ranked hand wins the pot (all bets placed during that particular hand).
Before each round of betting, 2 mandatory bets called blinds are put into the pot by the players to the left of the dealer. This ensures that there is always an incentive for players to continue betting, even if they do not have the best hand. After the blinds, each player receives 2 cards face down (hidden from the other players). These are known as a player’s hole or pocket cards. A round of betting then commences, which begins with the player to the left of the big blind.
During the betting phase, each player has the option to call the raise made by the player to their left. To do this, the player puts chips into the pot equal to the amount raised. They can also raise the stakes themselves or fold their hand, in which case they forfeit any chips that they have put into the pot.
Depending on the variant of Poker, there may be a “kitty” established by agreement between players. This is used to pay for new decks of cards, food and drinks, etc. When the game ends, any money that is left in the kitty is usually split amongst players who are still in the hand.