Poker is a card game played by two or more players. It is considered a recreational activity and an ancestor of other card games such as blackjack and rummy. It is a game of social interaction, skill, and chance.
The goal of the game is to have the best five-card hand, or “poker,” which wins all the money that was put down as a buy-in for the round. Occasionally there will be a tie amongst the players who have a winning poker hand, and in that case the pot is split equally. A player who loses all their chips during a session is out of the game and can’t win any more money from that session.
In order to make a profit in the long run, a poker player must judge expected value. Expected value is the statistical long-term average return from a particular gambling situation and has been emphasized by the earliest decision theorists.
During a game of poker, players may create a fund called the “kitty.” The kitty is made up of low-denomination chips that each player contributes to in every pot in which they raise. This fund is used to pay for new decks of cards, and food and drinks. Upon leaving the table, players are entitled to their share of the chips in the kitty.
No one enjoys losing money, but in a game steeped in machismo like poker it is especially hard to admit that your opponent might be stronger, smarter, or just plain better than you are. This ego-depleting realization can drive many players to absurd lengths to protect their pride and avoid the shame of defeat.