In most versions of Poker, players play using chips. The chips come in different colors, with whites usually being the lowest value. The dealer sets the values of each chip before the game starts and then exchanges cash from players for the appropriate value of chips. Each player receives a different number of chips from the kitty after each hand. Normally, each player purchases a certain number of chips, called “buy-ins.” Most players buy-in for the same amount.
There are also betting intervals in some variations of poker. One player is given the honor or obligation of placing the first bet. Each player has the obligation to place chips into the pot equal to the total contribution of the players before him. The player who raises is said to be an active player. A player who folds will no longer compete for the pot. However, players may raise their bet if they are able to win. The final arbiter of a poker game should be a written set of laws.
In a typical game of poker, each player receives thirteen cards. These cards are then split between three and five cards. The hands have names: the three-card hand is the “front” hand. The two five-card hands are called the “middle” and the “back.” In Chinese poker, the objective is to create the lowest ranking hand possible, which is called the “back” hand. When a player has both a high hand and low hand, he/she is considered to be the winner.