Poker is a card game based on strategy and skill, and can be played with 2, 3, 4, or more players. While there are many variations of this game, most share a similar set of rules. The goal is to win the pot – all bets made during a hand – by having a high-ranking hand of cards. Players may also bluff in order to increase the value of their pot.

To play, each player places chips into the pot (representing money) before being dealt cards. The first player to act must either call the amount bet by the person to their right, raise it, or fold. Depending on the rules of the game, players can also add additional money to the pot through forced bets — known as antes, blinds or bring-ins.

When writing about poker, it is important to understand how the game works and the various betting techniques used by different players. The best way to do this is to observe experienced players and analyze how they react to certain situations. This will help you build your own quick instincts. It is also useful to keep a file of hands that are relevant to your subject, so you can refer to them when creating dialogue and analyzing the actions of your characters. This will allow you to write more realistic and compelling scenes.