Official poker is a game that requires an initial contribution, called an ante, of one or more chips to start the betting. The players then place their bets into the pot, with the player having the highest hand winning the pot. Minimizing losses with poor hands and maximizing wins with good hands is the fundamental skill that poker requires.
Some poker games, such as rummy, require the players to contribute to a special fund, called a kitty. This fund is used to pay for new decks of cards, as well as food and drinks. The kitty is built by “cutting” (taking a low-denomination chip from each pot in which there is more than one raise). Any chips remaining in the kitty when the game ends are then split equally among the players who remain in the game.
While it is true that Poker is primarily a game of chance, the unwritten rules and etiquette of the game do have an impact on the quality of a game. Having an understanding of these dos and don’ts will make the game more enjoyable for everyone at the table.
This is especially true for beginners who are learning the game. There are some things that you should never do, no matter how experienced you are. These include: