Poker is a card game in which players make bets with chips. It is a gambling game but over time the application of skill eliminates the element of luck. It can be played in tournaments or in cash games, where players place their own chips into the pot. A standard set of round chips is used to bet with; sets are inexpensive and available for use in any game. There is also a dealer chip called a blind.
Players can say “I open” to raise the ante before anyone else acts. They can also say “I call” to match the last person’s bet. They can also fold when it is their turn to act.
A player may say “check” if they do not wish to put in any chips. This is only possible if no one before them has made a bet during that betting interval. They can then wait for their next turn to act.
During the Flop, Turn and River rounds there is another round of betting. The player with the best 5 card hand wins the pot, containing all bets placed in the previous intervals.
The narrator can give an overall description of the action but it is important to convey how a player is reacting and not just what they are saying. Narrators can do this by describing things like who flinched, who smiled and how much their hands were shaking. Using this level of detail helps the reader connect with the characters and build tension.