Poker is a card game that is played around a table. It is typically played with five or more players, but it can be played with less or more than six players. The game is governed by mathematical rules. A player with the best hand wins. Players can bluff to get the best hand, but the person with the best hand must bet more money than the other players.

Each betting interval begins with a bet. The next player to the left must either call, raise, or fold. If he folds, the previous player is said to have won the pot. If he does not win the pot, the player can check or equal the last bet. This is done before the next betting round begins.

In some variants, the game can be played with different betting patterns. The main pot is the pot that is created during the first betting round, while side pots are created for those who have made bets before. When players are able to raise their bets before the next betting round, they are considered “all in” and are eligible to win the pot.

In addition to the betting rounds, players also have the opportunity to establish a special fund called a kitty. This fund is made up of low-denomination chips that are cut from pots that have had more than one raise. The kitty belongs to all players, and the money in the kitty is used to buy new decks of cards and food for the players. The first bettor must bet the pre-set minimum, while later players can check.