The Basics of Poker

Poker is a game where players make bets with chips. Usually, a game with seven or more players requires a supply of 200 chips. A white chip is worth one cent; a red chip is worth five cents; and a blue chip is worth ten, twenty, or thirty cents. The darker colored chips are worth two, four, or five reds. The game starts when players “buy in” by purchasing chips.

In a hand of poker, a straight flush is the best natural hand. A straight flush is a group of five cards with the same rank. The ace can be either high or low, but cannot wrap around a straight flush or a royal flush. An example of a straight flush is an ace-high straight flush.

The highest-ranked hand in a game of poker is called a “high hand”. If the players have two pairs, a high hand wins the pot. If two players have equal hands, they split the pot evenly. The player with the highest card in the suit receives the odd-numbered chip. However, if a pair is tied, the player with the high card wins.

Once the betting has concluded, the players reveal their hands clockwise around the table. If more than one player remains in the game, a “showdown” is called. During this phase, only the players who have not folded their hand have a chance to win the pot.