Poker is a card game in which players place chips or cash into a central pot. The player with the best 5-card hand wins all of the money in the pot. Occasionally, the best hands are tied and there is a split in the pot. Normally, there are rules about how the winnings are shared among the players.

Before a hand begins, players must make forced bets (the amount they put in depends on the game). Then the dealer shuffles the cards, and each player places their bets in the pot in turn. After all players have placed their bets, they reveal their hands. A player may choose to bluff during this process, and even if they have a weak hand, a good bluff can win the pot.

To match a previous player’s bet, you say “call.” For example, if the person to your right raises their bet, you would call and then place the same amount in the pot. You can also raise your own bet or simply pass and wait until your turn to act again.

The most important thing to remember when writing about poker is that it has millions of fans, so you need to keep the articles interesting and engaging. It’s a good idea to include anecdotes and details about the game’s history, different variants, and strategies. It’s also a good idea to discuss tells, which are unconscious behaviors that can reveal information about a player’s hand.