The game of poker involves a betting pool where the players have to make forced bets, known as the ante and blind bet. Once the betting pool is full, the dealer shuffles and cuts the cards and deals them to the players one by one. The cards may be dealt face up or face down, depending on the variant of the game. Players may make additional bets between rounds. The winning hand is known as the “pot”.

In most poker games, players use poker chips. If there are seven or more players, they should supply the chips to all players. A white chip is the lowest-value chip. A red chip is worth five whites. A blue chip is worth two, four, or five reds. To begin a game, players buy in, placing the same amount of chips into the pot. These chips are known as “buy-ins.”

Besides the two types of hands, poker terminology also includes different terms and strategies. Aces Up and two-pair hands are two examples of hands with two pairs; meanwhile, a pair of jacks and a queen is a low-ranking hand. The game also includes special terms, such as the joker. Some of these terms are used to describe the maniac and mark players, which are considered weaker than their opponents.

It’s also possible to bluff your way to victory in a poker game. When your opponents check on a previous betting round, the bluff strategy is more effective. It’s easier to win a large pot when your opponent calls with a weak hand. You can also bluff if your opponent has an excellent hand. But remember, bluffing has to work only some of the time to make you profitable.