Poker is a card game that has a lot of potential for drama and conflict. The rules are relatively straightforward, but the by-play and player reactions can make or break a scene. In particular, pay attention to how players react when they draw cards and are revealed. Who flinched? Who smiled?

In most forms of poker, players must pay an amount called an ante (amount varies by game; our games require a nickel) to get their cards. Players then bet into a pot in the center of the table each hand, and the highest poker hand wins the pot.

The highest poker hand is a royal flush, which includes four matching cards of the same rank and five consecutive cards from one suit. The second highest is a straight, which consists of 5 consecutive cards of the same rank in one suit. A three of a kind contains 3 cards of the same rank, while two pair contain 2 cards of the same rank plus two unmatched cards. High card breaks ties if none of the above hands are present.

You can find many books on poker strategy and theory, but the best way to learn is to play and observe experienced players. Try to develop quick instincts and watch for tells so you can respond quickly in the heat of battle. A good rule of thumb is to raise on a strong hand and check with a weak one.