Poker is a card game where players place bets into the middle of the table to form a pot. The winner of the pot is determined by a player’s highest hand at the end of the betting round. The game is a gamble and it is important to treat others with respect, even when they make mistakes or act out of turn. They may not know the rules as well as you do and this is no reason to be rude or aggressive.

The game has been gaining in popularity since the beginning of the 21st century, thanks to televised poker tournaments such as the World Poker Tour and European Poker Tour that have made professional players into celebrities. In addition, online satellite tournaments allow players from all over the world to compete in major tournaments and win a seat into a prestigious event like the World Series of Poker.

Most live games of poker are played with a standard 52-card deck, plus one or two jokers. A typical poker chip set will contain 200 chips of varying colors, with a single white chip usually worth the minimum ante or bet amount. Players may also agree to create a fund for the game called the “kitty.” This money is used to pay for new decks of cards and other necessities, such as drinks and food.

Aside from the formal rules, poker also has a set of unwritten ones that are just as important to adhere to. These include not acting out of turn, protecting your hand, and always being courteous to other players.