Poker is a card game that can be played by two or more players. The player with the highest five-card hand wins. The highest five-card hand can consist of a royal flush, straight, three of a kind, or a pair. In the event of a tie, the winnings are shared.
Poker became popular in the early 21st century because of advances in technology that made it possible to play poker online and broadcast it to large audiences. This increased the amount of money that could be won by skilled players. It also turned poker into a spectator sport, attracting large audiences to live tournaments.
When writing scenes in which poker is being played, focus on the reactions of the players and by-play between them. Avoid using the most common hands because they can become cliches and lose their dramatic effect. Instead, use more obscure hands such as two pairs, which can be more interesting to readers.
Observe how experienced players react to build your own instincts. If you’re unsure how to read the situation, practice or observe a game of poker to see how other players react and how their betting patterns change over time.
Determine what structure a tournament will follow ahead of time, as this may affect how long the tournament will take to complete. Generally, a tournament will include several rounds and a time limit for players to finish their games. This can help you decide which cards to play and when to raise or fold your bets.
