Poker is a card game with betting rounds, where players can raise their bets as the action unfolds. It shares its name with the French poque and German pöchen games, but it more closely resembles the Persian game of as nas or brelan. It probably evolved from a Renaissance game called primero and later from three-card bragg.
During each round of betting, all players have the chance to increase their bets by one low-denomination chip. When they do, the amount raised is added to the total bet for that round. This money is collected in a special fund, often called the “kitty.” When the game ends, any chips remaining in the kitty are distributed among the players who still remain in the table. This fund can pay for new decks of cards or other necessities, such as food and drinks.
The game is played in the same way regardless of how many players are participating, but there are some special terms that should be understood before you play. These include: