Depending on the type of poker game being played, players must either ante up (place a small amount of money in the pot) or call (place a larger amount of money in the pot). A player’s ante amount is usually based on the stakes of the game.

The amount of money in the pot is divided equally among the players. The pot is usually located in the center of the table. The winner of the pot is the player with the best poker hand. A poker hand is comprised of five cards. Cards are ranked from Ace to King.

The lowest possible hand is 6-4-3-2-A. The highest possible hand is a flush (all cards of the same suit) or a straight flush (all cards of the same suit, starting with the highest value card).

Ties are broken by a high card, unless there are more than one person with the same card. In case of ties, a second pair breaks the tie, and the two hands are divided equally.

The player to the left of the dealer has the small blind. This player’s turn to bet is the first. He must call if a player raises or folds, or he may decline to fold.

The turn to bet passes clockwise from player to player. The betting phase ends when all remaining players fold.

In the final round, a Showdown is played. This is when all players reveal their cards. If a player wins the pot, he takes all bets in the pot.