Poker is a game of cards that is played by a group of players around an oval or circular table. Each player receives a card from the shuffled deck, and the person with the highest card becomes the initial dealer. The dealer then shuffles and cuts the deck. The next player clockwise from the initial dealer advances in the game.

Each round of poker is preceded by a betting interval. Each player receives one card facedown and one card faceup. After the betting interval, each player reveals their cards and whoever has the highest poker combination wins the pot. The next betting interval begins with antes and blinds. In stud, a 5-card hand is permitted. In 7-card stud, the best five-card hand is required to win the pot.

Betting limit in Poker: A limit in a poker game limits the number of chips that can be bet in a single hand. The limit increases in stud and draw poker after the draw, with the final betting interval usually doubling the previous betting interval. Those with exposed pairs are also subject to a higher limit.

A player who does not wish to bet must “check” to remain in the game. He or she must then either call the bet of a player who has raised their bet. This move is called sandbagging and is legal.