Poker is a game in which players place bets (representing money) on whether they have a winning hand. There are many variants of this game, but the general principle is that the player who places the highest bet wins the pot. Players usually begin the game by placing an ante wager and then betting on whether they have a pair or better. Depending on the rules of the game, one player may have the privilege or obligation to make the first bet; this is called opening.
Then cards are dealt: three to each player and the dealer. Each player must look at their cards and decide to either place a play wager equal to the amount they put as an ante or to fold their hand. Optimum strategy says that in a typical situation, the player should “play” hands greater than Queen, Six or Four and fold any worse.
A poker hand can consist of one pair, two pairs or three of a kind; a straight; a flush; or a full house. The highest card breaks ties.
Describing a series of card draws, bets and checks is boring for your readers; focus most of your scene description on the players’ reactions to the cards played. Describe how the other players’ eyes widen in awe and doubt at one man’s royal flush; or how your main character feels his rage boiling up inside him as he watches another player raise their bets.