Poker is a card game that became popular in the early 21st century. It is played in many different variants, and broadcasts of major tournaments have drawn large audiences. Writers who wish to make an article about this game should be familiar with its rules and famous tells that players frequently display, as well as how the game is played in different casinos and in Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

Depending on the game rules, one or more players may be required to place an initial amount of money into the pot before cards are dealt. These are called forced bets and come in the form of an ante or blind.

Each player receives two personal cards and five community cards. Players aim to create a winning hand of 5 cards by using the community cards with their own two. They can also bluff, betting that they have a superior hand to induce other players into calling their bet.

Players must take turns revealing their hands and deciding whether to continue betting or fold. They must place chips into the pot if they choose to remain active in a round, and their decisions are often made on the basis of probability, psychology, and game theory. Some players are known to be more conservative than others, folding early and often avoiding high betting, while other players are risk-takers that bet big to encourage other players into calling their bets.