Poker is one of the most popular card games around, enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. It’s a game of deception, where the better player can trick their opponents into thinking they have a strong hand when they actually have nothing. This is a key part of the game, and it’s why good players always try to mix up their play, whether they’re making big calls with strong hands or bluffing with weaker ones.

To start a game of Poker, each player must buy in with chips of a certain value. This number depends on the size of the table and the game variant. Usually, white chips are worth the minimum ante or bet; red chips are worth five whites; and blue chips are worth twenty-five whites.

If a player wishes to remain in the pot without betting, they may check. However, they must call any raise made by other players in that betting interval. They can also choose to fold if they have a weak hand. This is known as sandbagging.

When all players have completed their betting, the Showdown happens. This is when each player reveals their hand. If there is a high-ranked hand, the winner takes all of the money in the pot. If no high-ranked hand is present, the players in the hand split the money. This is often agreed upon before the game begins, as it allows players to win money even if they don’t have a winning hand.