Poker is a game where players can compete against each other by holding a set number of cards. Poker games are usually played with poker chips. Generally, a game requires at least 200 poker chips. There are three basic types of poker chips: white, red, and blue. White chips have the lowest value, while red and blue chips have higher values. Dark-colored chips are worth two, four, or five times as much as white chips. In most poker games, players “buy in” to the game by purchasing chips. They do so for the same amount as they are betting.

The goal of poker is to create the best hand possible by using at least five cards of the same suit. If your hand is inferior to a high pair or two pairs, you may fold, which means that you lost so far. However, if you hold a high pair, such as a J or a Q, you can use one of your cards to improve your hand.

When playing poker, you should also remember that the joker counts as a fifth ace and in some special hands it counts as the fifth card. In addition, the joker and the four deuces are wild cards. A gutshot has half the chance of hitting compared to an open-ended straight. So if you have a high pair, you may want to avoid using the joker.