Poker is a card game where players bet money on the cards they hold. The game has several variants with different rules.

The game begins with each player being dealt a complete hand of cards. This can be done by a dealer or by the players themselves.

Each betting interval, according to the particular variant of poker, begins with one player making a bet or raising his bet. During this time, other players may call (match the amount of the bet or raise), fold, or re-raise their own bets.

Once the first betting round has ended, the next player must place the same number of chips into the pot as the last player who bet. This is called the current bet amount or the current stack.

A player can change the size of a chip, but this must be announced before he places it in the pot. The oversized chip can then be discarded and the player can replace it with a larger chip of his choice.

Another common convention is to not place the chips directly into the pot, but rather to stack them toward the pot until the next betting round. This practice is sometimes known as splashing the pot.

It is a good idea to develop a range of strong and playable hands, especially when you’re playing in a tournament. Sticking to your range is the most important thing you can do to improve your odds of winning.