A game of poker involves the twin elements of chance and skill. If you have a good understanding of poker, you can learn to control the game and overcome some of its variance by using your knowledge of math and probability to make smarter bets.

To start a poker game, each player buys in for a certain number of chips, or units. Typically, a white chip is worth whatever the minimum ante is; a red one is worth five whites; and a blue chip is worth ten or twenty whites. Then the players take turns betting on each deal. Each player must place into the pot a number of chips (representing money) at least equal to that placed by the player to his or her left in turn before him or she can call, raise, or fold.

Once each player has two hole cards, a round of betting begins. Depending on the specific variant of poker, the first player to act can either call, raise, or check. In some cases, a player will put all of his or her remaining chips into the pot; this is called an all-in bet.

There is a third card dealt face up on the table, and another round of betting occurs. A fourth card is then dealt face up – the river. The last and final betting round is then conducted. A player with the best 5 card poker hand wins the pot.