Poker is a family of card games that share a common set of rules. The games vary in their deck configuration, number of cards dealt face up or face down, and the number of players, but they all have one or more rounds of betting.
Ante:
In most poker games, there is a mandatory bet called the ante. This is usually a small amount (such as a single unit or the smallest value in play) that is paid by all players before the first hand is dealt.
All-in:
In some games, a player is all-in when they push all of their chips (or cash) into the pot prior to the hand being dealt. This is a strategy that can be used to gain an advantage over other players, but is often not recommended in most games.
Big blind:
In some versions of the game, the player to the left of the dealer is required to put money into the pot prior to the hand being dealt. The person two positions to the left of the dealer is also required to do so, and this is called a big blind.
Check:
When a player does not raise on the first round, they are said to ‘check’. The action is a sign of weakness and may signal that the player is not willing to risk additional money in the hand.
Raise:
In many limit games, the maximum amount that a player can bet/raise is “capped” after three raises. After this, subsequent players must at least match the current open bet or raise to stay in the hand.