Poker is a game of chance that is played with cards and a table. To play the game, players must make a bet. If a player has the best hand, he or she wins the pot. This pot is usually divided into two or more parts. Players may also win side pots. Generally, a player’s winnings will be limited to the amount of his or her original stake.

Poker variants differ in the cards used and the way the hand is dealt. Some variants require the dealer to shuffle the deck.

During the dealing process, the dealer deals each player five cards. These cards can be either face up or face down. The player who receives the highest card by suit gets an odd chip.

Another round of betting occurs after the deal. The best hand in poker is typically a pair of aces. In some games, the joker is considered the lowest card in the hand.

The ante is a small bet that all players must make before the hand is dealt. This gives the pot a value right away. It’s important to understand that the ante is the smallest possible bet, but if it’s not enough to keep you at the table, you can still play the game.

A pot is a sum of all bets made in one deal. Each player must place a certain number of chips in the pot. There are three rounds of dealing, each of which distributes one card to each active player.