Poker is a card game that can be played between two or more people. Players are dealt two cards (sometimes three) and then use those along with community cards to create a hand. Some variations of the game require players to discard their cards and draw replacements from a pile in order to improve their hand.

To begin a hand, one player places a bet in the center of the table (called opening the betting). Other players can choose to either call the bet or raise it. To call, a player must place chips or cash in the pot equal to the amount of the last bet or raise. To raise, a player must announce that they are raising their bet and the other players must decide whether to match or exceed it.

A player may also choose to fold their hand by placing their chips face down on the table. The value of a hand is determined by the highest matching card. For example, a pair of jacks beats a pair of kings and a full house beats a straight flush.

It is important to remember that poker requires skill as well as luck and psychology. To convey this to your audience, focus on the reactions of the other players. For instance, don’t simply describe that a player has the royal flush – instead tell how his play made every other player’s eyes widen with incredulity and doubt and how your main character feels their rage building up within them.