Poker is a card game of skill, deception, and bluffing that involves a great deal of luck. However, it is like any other competitive skill game in that, in the long run, the best players will win. Whether you’re playing at home in your garage, or in a big casino in Las Vegas, the goal of a top player is to find optimal frequencies & hand ranges that maximize their edge in-game.
The game starts with each player posting a small blind & a big blind (or equivalent) to the dealer. Then two cards are dealt face-down to each player. The players then bet based on their perceived chances of having the best hand or making a bluff. The player who has the highest hand wins the pot if they call the bet or raise it. Otherwise they lose their chips & drop out of the current round or hand.
After the first betting round is complete the dealer puts a third card on the table that everyone can use. This is called the flop. Then the final betting round is the river where a fifth community card is revealed.
It is important to describe a good number of hands in your article to show the growing odds and tension in the game. However, don’t overdo it. A few too many rounds can feel lame or gimmicky. The key is to make the poker story seem believable, so focus on describing how the players react to each hand. Describe things like who flinched, who smiled, etc.