The game of poker is played with chips, most of which are the same denomination. Most players purchase chips for the same amount. There are five different types of chips, each of which is worth a certain amount. A white chip is the lowest denomination. Red chips are worth two, four or five whites, and blue chips are worth 10 or twenty or more. The player “buys in” to the game by purchasing chips with their money. Players can purchase as many chips as they want, but they are only entitled to a portion of the kitty if they remain in the game.

The popularity of poker has grown dramatically over the past few years, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost all live gaming establishments worldwide have closed due to the epidemic, and with fewer live entertainment options, many casual players have turned to online poker. There have been reports of operators seeing double the amount of traffic they were getting in the past. In addition, many people have chosen to play poker in different regions and countries. This has created a more open and accessible poker environment.