Poker is a card game played by two or more people. It is a game of skill and chance, and it can be very fast-paced. Players bet on the strength of their cards and can use bluffing to win. This makes it a very popular game both online and in real life. There are many different variations of the game, but all have some similarities.

The basic game of poker is played with a standard 52-card pack, sometimes with the addition of one or two jokers. One pack is dealt to each player, and while it is being dealt, the previous dealer assembles the cards that he dealt from their respective stacks, shuffles them and prepares the deck for the next deal. The shuffled deck is then passed to the player to the left.

Once the deck is shuffled and dealt, the first betting interval begins. Depending on the rules of the game, a player may choose to open betting or remain “flat” (pass on betting). If he opens betting, he must place in the pot enough chips representing money that he is in at least equal position with the player who opened before him. This amount is called the ante, blind, or bring-in.

When you are writing a poker scene, don’t rush in and get to the key moment too soon. A good poker hand can take a while to develop, and it’s important for your reader to be able to see that your character is patient and strategic.