Traditionally, poker is played with chips. The game involves an element of skill and luck, as players must make forced bets in order to win. There are several variations of the game. The rules for each version may differ, but there are some universal principles.

During the first round of betting, each player is allowed to place one or more chips into the pot. The amount of the chip is based on the number of chips that each player contributed to the pot during the previous round. The chips can be dark colored, such as black or green, or they can be light colored, such as red or white.

If a player makes a bet that no other player makes, the pot is won. This is known as a “showdown”. If the best hand is revealed, the player with that hand takes the pot. If two identical hands are revealed, the pot is split between them.

The best possible hand is a five of a kind. A five of a kind is a hand of five cards in the same suit. This is also called a flush. A straight flush is a hand of five cards in one suit. A pair of aces beats a 6-4-3-2-A. The lowest possible hand is a 7-5-4-3-2.

A stud poker game has a maximum chip limit of twice the amount of the minimum. The final betting interval usually has a limit of ten.

In poker, a hand of five cards is called a “pair.” A pair of aces is the lowest pair. Likewise, a hand of five cards in the same rank is called a “two of the same rank.”

There are many variations of the game. The rules for each variation should be studied carefully, as there are many local customs that may differ from the standard rules.