Poker is a game of cards where players wager chips or cash. Each player is dealt a set number of cards, and betting takes place in intervals determined by the rules of the game being played. The first player to act may choose to raise his bet (or fold) or to call it. When a player calls the previous player’s bet, he places his own stake in the pot equal to that of the other player. This way, there may be more than one winner of the original pot, and sometimes also of various side pots.
To be a good poker writer, you must understand the game and all its variants, including how the rules affect the by-play at the table. You must be able to describe the action as it unfolds, and know how to capture the emotions of the players at the table through their body language. You must be able to read their tells and determine what sort of player they are, for example, whether they are conservative or aggressive.
The key to success is to develop the skills to win at a reasonable rate and keep your bankroll in check. This requires a certain degree of risk-taking, but the most successful players understand that long term results are mostly based on skill and a combination of knowledge, psychology and game theory. There is no room for ego, and players who keep battling against better players will go broke sooner or later.