In some games, players must make forced bets called blinds before the cards are dealt. Typically, players begin the game at the left of the dealer and move up one position to their left. During betting, players can make calls or raise their bets when they think the other player is bluffing. This can result in a win for a player with a good hand. The game is played in rounds of several hands.

A royal flush is the highest-ranking poker hand. A royal flush consists of five cards with the same rank and suit. The royal flush is not to be confused with a straight flush. A straight flush is a combination of five cards of one rank and two of the same suit. A straight flush is three cards of the same rank. A pair of the same suit is also considered a straight flush. In poker, a pair of aces and a pair of threes are a straight.

A player can also call when a raised bet has made him the last one to raise the pot. The player who raised last must have at least 14 chips to call. However, a player who has just raised is not entitled to a share of the kitty. During the betting round, a side pot is created, which is separate from the main pot. It contains the money that the remaining players have bet in addition to their original bet.