Poker is a card game where the player must bet money in order to win. It is a game of strategy and the ability to read other players. It requires a lot of practice and observation to develop quick instincts. The best way to learn is to play and observe experienced players. Try to understand how they react in certain situations and try to implement this knowledge into your own style of play.
There are many different forms of poker, but the most common uses a standard 52-card English deck and betting occurs after each round of cards is dealt. The highest hand wins the pot.
The first round of betting starts after all players receive their 2 hole cards. There are then 2 mandatory bets called blinds put into the pot by the two players to the left of the dealer. Once this happens, 1 more card is dealt face up and another round of betting begins.
Once the last card is revealed, players take turns revealing their hands and the player with the best 5-card hand wins the pot. Sometimes there is a tie, and the pot is split amongst the players with the best hands.
To build tension in your scene, focus on the reactions of the other players to each reveal. If they flinch, smile, yawn, or show their clenched jaws, you’ll have a tense and exciting scene. To be realistic, you can’t write a whole story around a couple of rounds, so describe only the key hands to give your scene a believable feel.