How to Play Poker

Usually, poker is played with a group of people around an oval-shaped table. The aim is to make the highest-ranking hand of five cards. If the hand is a tie, the highest unmatched card breaks the tie. If there is no tie, the player who had the highest-ranking hand wins the pot.

The game is played with black, blue, green, or red chips. The player who places the most chips into the pot is called the active player.

Players may check, pass, raise, or fold. If a player folds, he or she discards the hand. If a player checks, they remain in the game without making a bet. If a player raises, they add more chips into the pot.

In pot-limit games, a player is not permitted to increase his or her bet after seeing the initial cards. A pot is an amount of money that all players have contributed to. The amount in the pot is usually divided equally among the players. If the pot is not divided, the player will not be able to win.

In fixed-limit games, a player’s bet must be at least the minimum ante. Depending on the game, the limit may be set before the start of the game. If a player calls, the other players must match their bet. If a player raises, the other players must match the bet.

Poker can be played with any number of players. The ideal number is six to eight. The number of players depends on the type of poker.