The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game played between two or more players. The game is usually played with a fixed number of chips (or “chips in the pot”) of varying values. The lowest value is a white chip, worth one unit of ante or bet; higher values are represented by colored chips such as reds, which are usually valued at five whites.

Before each betting round, players buy in for a certain amount of chips. They must then place these chips in the pot before they can make a bet. The number of chips you choose to buy in with is important because it determines your risk/reward profile. Ideally, you should only play with money that you’re comfortable losing. It’s also a good idea to play with players that you have a skill edge over.

After each player has 2 hole cards, a third card is dealt face up on the board (this is called the flop). There’s another round of betting, with the players to the left of the dealer making the first bet.

After the flop, there’s a final community card revealed (this is called the river). Then there’s a showdown where the best hand wins the pot. The top five hands are a full house, straight, flush, three of a kind and pair. The high card breaks ties.