Poker is a card game in which players bet against one another and make a winning hand by forming the highest possible combination of cards. While many believe that the game is largely based on chance, it requires a certain amount of skill as well and can be played in a number of ways. It has become a popular game in casinos and on television, with professional tournaments being broadcast worldwide.

In a poker game, the players may establish a special fund called a “kitty.” The kitty is built up by “cutting” (taking) one low-denomination chip from each pot in which there is more than one raise. The chips in the kitty belong to all of the players equally and are used to pay for things such as new decks of cards or food and drinks. When the game ends, any chips left in the kitty are distributed amongst the remaining players.

Despite the skepticism of some, poker is widely accepted as a legitimate form of gambling. This is partially due to the fact that the game has a number of rules that limit the odds of a player losing. In addition, the game has a history of being played in saloons and other social gatherings.

The World Series of Poker is the longest-running poker tournament in the world. Its prize pool increased from around $20,000 in the early 1970s to its current record of more than $10 million. Its popularity has also been boosted by increasing TV coverage of the event and the rise of celebrity poker players.