Poker is a card game played by two or more players against each other. The game involves betting and bluffing, but it also involves using probability, psychology, and game theory to make decisions. The goal is to have the highest ranked hand of cards at the end of the hand. The player with the highest ranked hand wins the pot, which is all of the money that was bet during the hand.

When writing scenes in which poker is a part of the action, it’s important to focus on the character interactions and not just the cards that are dealt. Pay attention to what the players are saying and watching for their tells, which can be anything from a nervous fidget or a clenched jaw to body language like shrugging shoulders. These are clues to their thought process and what kind of hands they’re holding.

The amount of concentration required to play poker can be great, especially when dealing with a lot of distractions such as mobile devices and television screens around the table. It’s a good way to train your focus and learn to be more focused when it comes to other things in life. Also, learning to deal with a series of losing sessions can help you become more patient in other situations where it’s impossible to avoid a bad beat. The key is to keep calm and think clearly instead of getting frustrated about things you can’t change.