Poker is a card game that can be played by two or more people. There are many different versions of the game, from social games for pennies to professional tournaments for millions of dollars. The rules of each game vary, but the fundamental principles remain the same. The goal of the game is to win money by making a good hand using the cards in your own hand and those shared with other players.

There are also differences in the deck used, number of cards dealt, and betting procedures. In most cases, one player acts as dealer. Players to the left and right of the dealer must place forced bets before cards are dealt (if no ante is in place). Once the bets are placed, all players receive two cards face down. These are called their hole cards.

The game is usually played with chips. Most establishments have a standard set of chip colors, with white representing the lowest value. Other commonly used colors are red, green, black, purple, and yellow. Tournament chips are often colored differently and may bear the name of the event or host.

The cards in a standard pack include the four deuces and the joker, which counts as a wild card in some poker variants. Players must guard their hands from being seen by others, although peeking at another’s cards is not against the rules. If a player’s actions are disruptive or unsportsmanlike, the player can be asked to slow down and call the clock on their opponent.