Poker is a card game played by two or more people. Each player has “chips” that they bet with. Each player is dealt two cards. Then there are five community cards dealt (“the flop”). Players try to make the best 5-card hand using their own two cards and the five community cards. The highest hand wins the pot. If no one makes a good hand, the pot is shared among the remaining players. There are many different variants of poker. The rules of each are very similar, but some have minor differences.

Poker requires quick instincts. It’s important to practice and watch others play to develop those instincts. It’s also helpful to observe other players and look for “tells,” which are telltale signs that someone is nervous or holding a strong hand.

In general, a player’s decision to check, call, or raise depends on the strength of his or her hand and the situation at the table. When deciding to raise, consider whether you are raising for value or as a bluff. In either case, be careful not to raise too often. It is also important to know your opponent and what types of bets he or she typically makes.

When writing a scene with poker, keep in mind that most readers won’t care about the actual cards being dealt or how the hands are made up. What will interest them are the characters’ reactions to the cards and the by-play between the players.