The first thing you need to know about playing poker is that you cannot just walk in to a game without a few poker chips. Almost every poker game requires you to use poker chips, and it is generally a good idea to supply them for games with seven or more players. There are four basic types of chips, each worth a certain amount. A white chip is the lowest value, while a red chip is worth five whites. Blue chips are worth two, four, or five reds, and they are used in the same way as well.

Each player in a poker game must make forced bets before the game begins. These can be either ante or blind bets. After each round, the dealer will deal out cards one by one to the players. The cards may be dealt face-up or down depending on the variant. Players can also develop their poker hands between rounds, where they can raise or call opponents’ bets. Poker terms and strategies vary by casino, but there are some common elements in almost every poker game.

The main forms of poker are draw poker and stud poker. In draw poker, the players receive their cards face-down, while in stud poker, some cards are dealt face-up as betting proceeds. In both games, the other players can see part of each player’s hand and can make bets based on their hand. If you have the best hand, you win. If not, you lose your entire bet and your chips.