The objective of poker is to make as many hands as possible in a given amount of time. The objective of a hand is to be the highest paying one, and that requires an expert eye and a bucket of confidence. Before you begin playing, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the basic terms used in the game, including A-Z lists, F-M, R-S, and W-Z. You should also be familiar with the action in the game.

In poker, each player contributes a set amount of money to the pot before the game begins. This is called the ante. The first player to bet is the “bet” player. The next player is known as the “caller” and the person who matches or exceeds the previous bettor’s bet is referred to as the “raiser.” A player can also check their hand before betting, which is called the last move. If no other players have made a bet yet, the betting interval ends.

Poker is played with poker chips. A game should always be stocked with chips. For example, if there are seven players, the house should supply them. A white chip is the lowest-valued chip. A red chip is worth five whites. A blue chip is worth two, four, or five reds. Each player “buys in” by purchasing a chip, usually for the same amount. In addition to buying in with the same amount of money, the player also buys in with their own money.