In a poker game, players receive five cards face down. Then, the players place bets. The winner of the game is the player who has the highest hand. In a game with seven or more players, the supply of chips should be at least 200. The chips are valued as follows: a white chip is the lowest, worth five cents, a red chip is worth ten or twenty cents, a blue chip is worth five cents, and a dark-colored chip is worth two, four, or five reds. Players “buy in” by buying chips in the amount of their bet.
Players begin the game by placing an ante or blind bet. After this, the dealer deals one card to each player. Each player’s hand develops during the betting rounds, which are conducted clockwise around the table. The player with the highest poker combination is the first bettor, and he must make the required bet in the first betting interval. After this, he can check his hand, but he must call the blind bet before he can check.
During each betting interval, players may place a bet, known as an ante. The ante is the minimum amount that players must place into the pot before a round begins. After the betting intervals are completed, all bets are collected in the pot. The winner of the round is determined by the highest total bet. The stakes in a poker game vary widely. It is best to consult the rules for the game before making a final decision.
