If no one has yet opened the betting round, a player may pass or check, which is equivalent to betting zero and/or to call the current bet of zero. If there is a bring-in, the first round of betting begins with the player obliged to post the bring-in. In stud games, the action begins with the player showing the strongest cards and proceeds clockwise. In games with blinds, the first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the blinds.

If any player has folded earlier, action proceeds to next player. In general, the person to the left of the dealer acts first and action proceeds in a clockwise fashion.

Order of betting Play proceeds to the left of the dealer All other bets are made by placing chips in front of the player, but not directly into the pot ('splashing the pot' prevents other players from verifying the bet amount). (Some games may have specific rules regarding how to fold: for example in stud poker one must turn one's upcards face down.) A player may check by tapping the table or making any similar motion. Ī player may fold by surrendering one's cards. After the first bet each player may 'fold', which is to drop out of the hand losing any bets they have already made 'call', which is to match the highest bet so far made or 'raise', which is to increase the previous high bet. Until the first bet is made each player in turn may 'check', which is to not place a bet, or 'open', which is to make the first bet. When it is a player's turn to act, the first verbal declaration or action they take binds them to their choice of action this rule prevents a player from changing their action after seeing how other players react to their initial action. Players in a poker game act in turn, in clockwise rotation (acting out of turn can negatively affect other players). Different games are played using different types of bets, and small variations in etiquette exist between cardrooms, but for the most part the following rules and protocol are observed by the majority of poker players. In the game of poker, the play largely centers on the act of betting, and as such, a protocol has been developed to speed up play, lessen confusion, and increase security while playing.

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Folding poker table with top