Poker is a card game that requires skill and luck. It is played around an oval or circular table. Before a round can begin, the initial dealer must select a card from the shuffled deck and become the first dealer. The dealer must then cut or shuffle the deck and deal the cards to the players. If ties are formed, the next player to deal will be the new initial dealers. The process repeats until a winner is established.

Before the game begins, each player must “buy in” to participate in the game. A game with seven players or more must have chips provided. The low-value chip is a white chip. A red chip is worth five or ten whites, while a blue chip is worth two, four, or five reds. A player must purchase the chips to enter the game, which is usually the same amount for everyone. If all the players are active, they must place a bet before the first betting round.

Unless there are more than seven people playing a game, chips are supplied. The lowest-value chip is called a “white,” while the highest-value chip is a “red.” A “blue” is worth ten or twenty or more whites. A single red chip is worth two, four, or five reds. Traditionally, players buy in by purchasing chips that are equal to their own amount. In some games, players must make a minimum bet before they begin the game.