Regardless of the game you choose, there are some general rules that you should follow when playing poker. For example, the number of players is not limited to two, but it is ideal to have at least six or eight. Regardless of the number of players, the game is called a “pot” when all bets in a particular deal are included. Generally, winning the pot means having the best poker hand or making the highest bet and no one else calls.
In a standard game, a dealer is designated for each round. This dealer handles all of the cards in a hand and shuffles the deck before dealing them to the other players. The dealer may be a player or non-player, and the role is usually rotated amongst the players. A dealer chip is used to designate the dealer each round, and it is passed to the next player. Certain betting rules vary depending on who is the dealer, so it is important to understand these before you start playing.
Players begin each betting round by placing an ante (a mandatory wager that must be made before cards are dealt) or a blind bet. Once the ante or blind bet has been placed, the dealer shuffles the deck and deals cards one by one. The cards may be dealt face up or face down, depending on the poker variant. A call is a signal to match a bet or raise, while a check means that you don’t wish to raise. A raise is a signal that you want to increase the amount of chips in the pot.