Poker is a card game in which players place bets on the value of their cards. The object of the game is to win a pot, or the total sum of all bets in a deal. A player may win the pot by having the best poker hand or by making a bet that no other players call.

The game has a long history and many variants. It is played in private homes, poker clubs, and casinos worldwide. It has also become a popular pastime for millions of people playing online and in live events. Poker has been called the national card game of the United States, and its play and jargon are deeply woven into American culture.

If you write a poker scene in your novel, you’ll want to focus less on the specific rules of the game and more on the reactions of the players. Pay attention to who flinches or smiles, who blinks and who doesn’t. It’s these details that will make your scene engaging to readers.

A well-timed increase in aggression can make a big difference in your win rate at the poker table. This article by Ryan Fee describes four common situations in which upping your aggression will improve your bottom line.