Poker is a card game played by two or more players and won by the player with the best hand. A poker hand is a combination of cards that rank in ascending order of their numerical value. The highest hand is a royal flush, which consists of four matching cards of the same rank in the same suit. The second highest hand is a straight, which contains five consecutive cards of equal rank, and the third highest is a three of a kind (or a pair): a set of two identical cards of the same rank.
A player may place forced bets into the pot before being dealt cards, but after they receive their cards, they may choose to raise or fold. A player who raises a bet will usually win the pot, but if they do not have a high enough hand to win it, they forfeit their rights in the original and any side pots that may be created.
The game may be played with a single dealer or multiple dealers, who take turns dealing the cards. In a multi-player game, each player is assigned a particular dealer position at the table. The dealer chip is passed to the next player after each betting round.
To make the game believable and dramatic, writers should focus on describing the actions of the players rather than the cards they are holding. Describing a series of cards, bets and checks will not feel realistic to readers, but by focusing on the reactions of the players (who flinched, who smiled) they can create a sense of tension and drama in their scenes.
