While the rules and procedures for playing poker differ from casino to casino, the basic principles remain the same. In most games, players must place an ante, or blind bet, before being dealt their cards. A pair of cards is a group of two unmatched cards and two matching cards. After completing the ante, each player receives one or two more cards from the deck. If no one has a pair of five cards, the dealer may decide to show these cards instead.
After the final betting round, a hand turns face up. A showdown occurs only if all players have raised, or if a player has placed an all-in bet before the last round of betting. A side pot is created from the additional chips bet by the remaining players. This side pot can contain multiple players, and the player who is all-in only has the right to win the portion of the pot that he contributed.
When a player has made a bet, he or she will determine whether to call or raise. A player must decide whether to call or raise when the odds of winning are good enough to justify placing a bet. Normally, a call is the better choice if the odds are good enough, but if they are poor, the player should fold. This decision is based on the amount of money in the pot and the size of the pot.