Poker is a card game where players make bets on their poker hands. It is also a popular spectator sport. The player who wins the pot is crowned the winner.

Most poker games use a normal 52-card deck. Depending on the type of poker game, cards may be dealt face up or face down.

After a dealer button has been pushed, the first player receives a card facedown. He or she has the option of checking, raising, or folding. Players may also bluff. They can bet their best hand or try to beat other players’ hands. In certain positions, the dealer has the option to make forced bets, including an ante.

A pot is the sum of all the bets made by all players in one deal. A pot can be won by making a bet that no other player calls. If two identical poker hands tie, the highest unmatched card breaks the tie.

There are three common betting structures: pot-limit, fixed-limit, and no-limit. All of these involve standardised amounts of raising and betting. Some versions do not consider straights, while others may allow players to split the pot between the highest and lowest hands.

Poker is played in a casino or at home. Players usually use ceramic or plastic chips. These chips are blue, red, green, or black. Usually, the player who places the chip in the pot is the active player.

Before the game begins, the dealer assigns values to the poker chips. He or she then has the last right to shuffle the cards. Cards are then dealt clockwise around the table.