Poker is a game of incomplete information. Each player has chips to place bets with and is dealt 2 cards, which are hidden from the other players. They then aim to make a best 5-card hand using their own two cards and the five community cards on the table.

The first bet is placed by the player to the left of the dealer, and then there is a round of betting with the players in turn clockwise around the table. A player may choose to discard their cards and draw replacements if they want to improve their hand. This is done during or just after the betting round.

In the poker hand ranking, a Royal flush is four matching cards of the same rank and suit. A straight is 5 consecutive cards of the same suit. A three of a kind is 3 cards of the same rank. Two pair is 2 cards of the same rank plus one card of another rank and high card breaks ties.

A good way to add depth and interest to a story about poker is to focus on the human drama and reactions of the characters. Watch for tells such as shallow breathing, sighing, a hand over the mouth to conceal a smile, nostril flaring or eyes watering and a rapid heartbeat in the chest. These can indicate nervousness, confidence or bluffing. Likewise, watching how players place their bets and how they react to the other bets can also be interesting.