Poker is a game in which players bet and win against each other according to the rules of the particular game. Poker games vary in card configuration, amount of cards dealt, and whether the cards are uncovered or face down. However, they all involve one or more rounds of betting by the players in a clockwise fashion.

In a poker hand, the highest cards win. If two or more hands have the same high cards, a side card called a kicker is used to break the tie. A kicker is any card that is higher than the other high cards in the hand (e.g. a 9 beats an 8 when it’s the only cards of the same suit in a Straight).

A player may bet their entire stack during a hand, and this is known as going all-in. The next player can choose to call the bet, raise it, or fold.

Talking on the phone at the table is prohibited, as is using mobile devices such as phones and tablets to communicate with others at the table or with betting apps. Music, ring tones, images, and video may not be played at the table while there are live hands.

A casino employee whose job is to greet players entering the poker room, maintain the list of persons waiting to play, announce open seats, and various other duties. A poker host is also responsible for brushing off tables in between sessions to keep them clean and ready for the next game.