In poker, players bet money against each other to win a hand. The game has many variants, but all involve cards and chips (representing money). Unlike chance games, where winning requires only luck, poker involves the twin elements of chance and skill, and over time the application of skill will virtually eliminate variance in the odds of a hand.

A hand begins with one complete deal of five cards. Each player then bets in turn, placing the amount of his or her chips into a pot. Betting intervals may last up to three cards, and each player has the right to raise or fold his or her hand.

When betting is over, the dealer reveals the final community card called the river. A player must have a high-card hand to win the pot. Ties are broken by looking at the highest card in the hand.

The best poker hands are two distinct pairs and a high-card. A three-card hand is a straight, while four-of-a-kind wins a flush. In addition to the hands, a player can also win by making a straight or a full house.

To write a good poker scene, it’s important to understand the rules and the by-play between players. It’s also helpful to know what type of poker you’re writing about – a cash game, a tournament, etc. For example, a bluff in an early position won’t work in a cash game, but it will in a tournament.