Poker is a family of card games that are played worldwide. They are usually played with a normal 52-card deck, but some games have more cards. Players can shuffle their own cards or have the dealer do so.

The game can be played with any number of players, but a typical number is six to eight. This number is based on the stakes of the game.

Before the game starts, the dealer assigns values to the chips. These are then counted. Each player’s chip value is compared with the amount of money in the pot to determine the winners.

The first bet is typically made by one player. The dealer then deals each player a hand. After the initial bet, another round of betting is held. At the end of the round, the winning hand collects the pot.

Some variations of poker award the pot to the highest hand, while others split the pot between the highest and lowest hands. The pot may also be won by making a bet that no other player calls.

The game is a popular spectator sport. It is played in casinos, homes, and clubs. The game is also played online.

In the United Kingdom, the game is still widely played. Poker is a descendant of the French game brelan, and it is believed to share some of the same ancestry with primero.

The main characteristic of poker is bluffing. A player who bluffs is a player who makes a bet without actually having the best hand.