Players make bets on cards in a game of poker. In some variations, the dealer is responsible for shuffling the deck and dealing cards to players. A non-player can also be designated as the dealer for the entire game. Players take turns being the dealer, and they are assigned a chip that designates the dealer each round. After the first round is completed, the dealer is replaced by a different player. Certain betting rules may vary depending on the location of the dealer.

When more than one player remains in a game, the game moves to a showdown. Players reveal their hidden cards and assess their hands. The player with the highest hand wins the pot. The best hand is a five-card combination, and the player with the highest hand wins the pot. For example, a player with an Ace may trade all of his cards, while a player with a pair of jacks can trade two of his four cards.

In some variations of the game, forced bets are required. The player to the left of the dealer is called the “small blind,” while the player two positions to the left is called the “big blind.” In each of these positions, the player who must make a forced bet without a hand is called a “blind.”