Poker is a card game that involves betting and bluffing. The highest ranked hand wins the pot, which is the sum of all money bet on the hand. Players can choose to reveal their cards during the final betting phase. Depending on the variant of poker, one player is designated as the dealer. Players may also choose to pass on their cards and not participate in the hand.

Before the cards are dealt, a specific amount of money must be placed in the pot by each player. This is called the ante, blind, or bring-in. The amount varies by game, but it is usually an agreed upon minimum.

Once the hands are revealed, a player with the best five-card hand wins the pot. A high hand consists of two distinct pairs and a single card of the highest rank. The high card breaks ties.

If you are writing a story that involves poker, focus less on the specific cards and more on your characters’ reactions to the cards that are played. Describing a series of bets, checks, and reveals can quickly become dull. Unless the plot demands it, avoid poker specifics and instead use the game as a vehicle for character/plot development.

Pay attention to how the players interact, their emotions, and their body language. Watch for tells, the unconscious habits that give away information about a player’s card hand. Typical tells include eye contact, facial expressions, and body posture.