Poker is a card game in which players compete to make the best five-card hand. Players are dealt two cards and then place bets using chips that are put into the center of the table (known as the pot). The player with the highest poker hand wins all of the chips that have been placed in the pot.

Poker can be played with any number of players, though most games have 6, 7 or 8 players. The rules are similar in most forms, with each player anteing some amount of money (the amount varies depending on the game) to be dealt cards. When betting comes around to the player, they can either call or fold. Typically, there are several rounds of betting with each player revealing their cards in the end.

It’s a great way to learn about decision-making under uncertainty, and Maria Konnikova is one of many people who have used the game to understand how humans make decisions. She wrote a book called The Biggest Bluff about how poker can help you build good instincts, especially under stress.

As a writer, poker is a great tool to use for character development and plot conflict. However, it’s important to remember that the most interesting part of poker is not the cards – it’s the people and their reactions to them. Try to focus your attention on who flinches, smiles or gives away tells – these will keep the reader engaged and help you develop a realistic story.