Poker is a card game in which players wager money against one another. The game can be played by two to 14 people, and the goal is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets made in a given hand. Players place bets on the basis of expected value, and may bluff if they believe that they have a superior hand or when they know that the other players have a better hand.
The game is played on a table with a standard deck of cards and a dealer. The cards are shuffled, and then the player to the right of the dealer cuts. The dealer then deals each player a number of cards, usually starting with the player to their left. After the initial deal, the first of several betting rounds begins.
During the betting rounds, players try to make the best five card “hand” using their own two cards and the five community cards on the table. The higher the rank of your hand, the more money you can win. Players may also add to the pot by raising their bets, or “raising” their bets. The other players can choose to call your bet, or fold their cards.
A poker scene can be a great way to show character conflict and provide dramatic tension. To make the scene feel authentic, focus on the tells (unconscious physical habits that reveal information about a player’s hand). For example, if a player blinks repeatedly or glances at their chips before the flop, they are probably feeling nervous and are likely to be bluffing.