The Basics of Poker

Poker is a card game played between two or more players and is the most popular form of gambling around the world. It has a rich history and many variations, and is widely used in casinos and riverboats. It is a game of chance and skill, where the decisions players make – whether to call, raise, or fold – are driven by probability theory, psychology, and game theory.

To begin a hand, each player must place an initial forced bet into the pot, usually one or two white chips (or low-denomination poker chips). The dealer then shuffles and deals cards to each player, starting with the player on their left. After the first round of betting, players may add additional money to their bets. These additional bets are placed into a “pot” which is shared by all players who have raised their hands.

The players then evaluate their hands and decide to raise, call or fold. The key to winning is extracting maximum value from your winning hands while minimising losses from losing ones – this is called MinMax. To maximise your value, you need to read your opponents’ tells: their body language, gestures and facial expressions.

A good story about poker must capture these nuances and be told with the right amount of flair. It is not enough to simply describe a sequence of card draws, bets and checks, or else the story will feel flat. The most important thing is to create a sense of drama and tension, and the best way to do this is through the by-play between players – who flinches, who smiles and who doesn’t even blink.