Poker is a card game played between two or more players using cards and chips. The goal of the game is to make the best five-card hand at the end of the betting rounds. While there are hundreds of different poker variations, most share some similar features. Players begin the game by putting an amount of money into the pot (the amount varies). Then, they are dealt cards. They can then decide to fold their hand, call the bet made by the player before them, or raise it.
After the betting round, the cards are revealed to all players. The highest five-card hand wins the pot. Some poker games also involve blind bets, which are placed before the first betting round and can replace or supplement the ante.
Some players choose to bluff, which is an important element of the game and a major reason why it has become so popular. Bluffing requires skill and psychology, as well as knowledge of the odds of a particular hand.
To write a good poker story, it is important to focus on the action and tension of the game. This usually involves describing many hands over the course of hours and dozens of rounds (hands). To help readers understand the growing odds in a particular hand, authors should keep a file of poker hands that are relevant to their subject matter. These can be hands that they have played or hands from another source.