Poker is a card game played with chips that represent money. During the game, players place these chips into the pot (or pool) in increments that are dictated by the rules of the poker variant being played. Typically, each player starts the betting with an amount equal to the minimum ante or bet. The chips are usually white and light-colored, but there are many variations. Each chip is worth a specific amount of money; for example, a white chip is worth one dollar and a red chip is worth five dollars. When a player places a chip in the pot, he or she is said to be calling the bet. The player can also raise the bet by placing a higher chip than the previous player. The player may also choose to fold, thereby giving up the hand and his or her money to the other players.
After each player receives their two hole cards, a round of betting begins. These bets are called blinds and they are mandatory to ensure there is money in the pot to compete for. A third card is then dealt face up to the table, and another round of betting begins. This card is known as the flop.
The best 5-card poker hand wins the pot, or all the money that was put into the game as buy-ins. If there is a tie between the players with the best hands, then the pot is shared among them. There are often rules regarding how this money is distributed after the game is over.