Poker is a game of chance and risk that can be played by two or more players. There are dozens of variations of this game, but most of them have the same basic rules: each player must put in a mandatory bet (usually called a blind or an ante) before they are dealt cards. Then they must either call the bet, raise it or fold.

In addition to your own two personal cards, you’ll use the five community cards to create your best 5-card hand. This can be a Straight (cards in sequence but not necessarily consecutive) or a Flush (cards that all belong to the same suit). You can also have a Four of a Kind or a Pair.

One of the keys to winning at poker is being able to read your opponents. This can be done by observing their actions, their facial expressions and other body language. You can also pick up on their tells by paying attention to how they bet, especially if they raise their bet size unexpectedly.

Keep in mind that it’s important to make the game feel realistic. You’ll want to avoid using “famous hands,” such as 4 aces or a royal flush, which can make the scene seem gimmicky and less interesting to readers. Also, don’t be afraid to let your characters make mistakes – this is part of what makes the game fun!