Poker is a casino card game with a variety of rules. It can be played with any number of players, but usually involves six to eight players. Players bet into a pot that is in the middle of the table. The winner of the pot is the player with the best hand. A round of betting continues until one player folds their hand or runs out of money, or the game ends. A game with more than seven players has a larger pot than one with less players.

Players begin by placing an ante or blind bet, which indicates that they are willing to bet. A dealer then cuts and shuffles the cards. Each player receives their hands one at a time, with some cards being dealt face up and some face down. After the initial deal is completed, the action moves clockwise around the table, with the player to the left of the button always having the first position. Players then post a small blind and a big blind. Blinds are forced bets that each player must make, and they give players something to chase.

When a player has a pair of aces, the dealer will place a corresponding chip on their hand. If a player has a higher hand, the dealer will place the higher card in the middle of the table. In cases of ties, the high card will win.