Poker is a game of cards and chips that requires both skill and luck to win. It can be played in cash games or in tournaments. The goal of the game is to have a strong hand. The player who has the highest-ranked hand at the end of a hand wins the pot, which is all of the money placed on that particular deal. Players can also bluff and win the pot without having a strong hand by continuing to raise their bets until other players drop out of the hand.
The person who deals the cards is called the dealer. Often, this is a non-player. In some poker games, the dealer chip is passed around the table after each betting round to designate who will be the dealer for the next hand. A good poker player will remember who dealt the cards and can use that information to read other players. For example, a conservative player will fold their cards early in the hand and can be bluffed into raising their bets. Aggressive players will raise their bets quickly and are easily recognizable as risk-takers.
To write a compelling Poker scene, focus less on the cards and more on the players’ reactions to the card draws, bets and reveals. Pay attention to what the other players are doing with their eyes, their body language and even their facial expressions. These tells can give away a player’s strength or weakness and make the difference between winning and losing.