Poker is a card game that requires a lot of luck, but also a great deal of skill. It’s a fast-paced game with players betting into the pot (money shared by all) and raising bets as their hands improve. The person with the best hand at the end of the game wins all the chips at the table. Usually, it’s agreed ahead of time that players who don’t win will share some of the money.

To begin a poker game, each player must ante something (usually a small amount of money). They then receive two cards face down that are hidden from other players. When betting comes around, they may call, raise or fold.

After the betting phase of a hand, three additional cards are dealt face up in the center of the table (revealed to all players). These are called the community cards and can be used by each player to create their best 5-card poker hand.

To write about a poker game, you should focus on the reactions of the characters. It’s helpful to describe what each character is doing and why they’re doing it (like who flinched or smiled). You can also use your imagination to bring out the visual images of a series of card draws, bets and checks. But if you overdo it, the scene will feel gimmicky and clichéd. Instead, build your comfort with risk-taking over time by taking smaller risks at lower stakes.