Poker is a card game that involves betting between players. The player who holds the highest ranked hand of cards wins the pot, or all bets placed during that round. There are several different variants of the game and each has different rules, but there are some general principles that apply to most versions.
At the start of a hand, each player must place a forced bet (usually an ante or blind bet). The dealer then shuffles and cuts the deck. Cards are then dealt to each player one at a time, starting with the player to their left. Depending on the game, cards may be dealt face-up or face-down. During the course of a hand, players may bet more than once, and they can raise or re-raise on each turn.
A player can also choose to discard and draw replacement cards during or after a betting round. Often, this is done to improve the strength of a hand. If all players choose to discard and draw, then the cards are reshuffled and a new set of cards is dealt to each player.
When describing a hand, it is important to focus on the reactions of the players and the by-play between them. This will keep the tension high and help to hold the reader’s attention. It is also important to describe the actions of each player, especially their tells (eye movements, idiosyncrasies in their betting behavior, etc). If you can convey these details, then your description of the hand will be more effective.