During a game of poker, a group of players sits around a circular table, with chips usually colored blue or green, and a deck of cards. The aim of the game is to form the best possible hand from the cards in front of you.

There are many variations of poker, but the most popular is Texas Hold’em. Each player is dealt seven cards, and the goal is to form the best possible hand. A player can win a pot by making the best hand or by bluffing their way into the pot.

Poker is played in casinos, in private homes, and online. The smallest stakes are typically just a few dollars. If a player does not have enough money to play, he will be forced out.

Poker can be played with any number of players, but an ideal number is six to eight. The game uses a deck of cards, chips, and tokens. Some games allow players to shuffle their own cards, while others use a community card deck. Depending on the game, the lowest possible hand is a pair of aces, and the highest possible hand is a five-card flush.

A poker player may bet, raise, or fold. A player who raises his bet is said to be active, and a player who folds is said to be passive.

The best possible poker hand is usually the highest card, but sometimes it is the smallest card. A pair of aces beats a straight flush.