Poker is a card game in which players place bets on the outcome of the hand. Each player is dealt 2 cards face down, which are called hole cards. A round of betting then begins, based on the mandatory bets (called blinds) placed into the pot by the 2 players to the left of the dealer.

Players can raise and call bets, but the highest hand wins each round. Players can also bluff, but it takes a lot of skill to win with a bluff. A high card is used to break ties.

After the hole cards are dealt, 5 community cards are dealt face up in stages known as the flop, turn, and river. There is another round of betting, with the player to the left of the dealer starting the round.

Each round of betting is followed by a showdown, where the highest hand wins the pot. The highest hand can consist of a pair, 3 of a kind, straight, flush, or full house. A straight consists of 5 cards in sequence but from more than one suit, while a flush consists of 5 matching cards of the same rank.

To write about poker well, it’s important to have a strong understanding of the rules and strategy. It’s also helpful to have a keen eye for detail and an ability to describe characters’ actions. For example, telling readers how a particular player’s tells reveal information about his or her hand can make the story more engaging for your audience.