Poker is a card game in which players wager money on the outcome of a hand. The game is based on probability, psychology and game theory. It also involves bluffing other players for strategic reasons. Players place bets into a pot voluntarily, and while the outcome of any individual hand largely depends on chance, the long-run expectations of players are determined by decisions made on the basis of expected value and other factors.

The game begins with the dealer shuffling and dealing cards to each player. Depending on the variant of poker being played, one or more players may be required to make forced bets (the ante and/or blind bet) before they are dealt cards. Players then take turns placing bets into a central pot. During each round of betting, all players’ hands develop in some way, either through additional cards being dealt or by the replacement of previously dealt cards.

Once all players have completed their betting rounds, the hands are revealed and a winner is declared. The highest hand wins the entire pot, or “pot,” which is the sum total of all bets placed throughout the round. If there is a tie between two or more players’ hands, the pot is split among the players with those hands.

When a player says “I call,” they are agreeing to match the last person’s bet (whether it was a raise or a flat bet). They then place their chips into the pot in order to remain in the hand. If they don’t want to continue betting, they can say “I fold.”

The most common poker hand is a pair of unmatched cards of the same rank. This is followed by a three-card straight, a four-card flush and a full house. A royal flush consists of four matching cards of the same rank and five consecutive cards of the same suit, and is the highest possible hand.

Poker is a social game and much of the drama of a game occurs in the interactions between players. Writers can use this by focusing on the reactions of the characters to the actions and bets of others. For example, if a character flinches when someone makes a big bet, this can add tension to the scene. By using these techniques, writers can make a poker scene interesting for millions of readers. However, they should avoid describing a series of card draws, bets, checks and reveals, as these can feel lame and gimmicky. Instead, focus on the main conflict of the scene – who will outsmart whom? – and how the poker will help achieve that goal.