Poker is a game of cards where players bet into a common pot. Betting typically happens in clockwise order and continues until the player with the highest hand wins the pot. The winner may take all of the money at the table or they can agree to share it with the rest of the players.

If you want to be a good poker writer, you need to understand the game and its rules well. It’s also important to keep up with the latest trends and news in poker. You should be able to write about the game in an interesting way and explain its rules. You also need to be able to analyze hands and make the right decisions.

Ideally, you should be able to read other players’ behavior at the table to identify tells. This is a skill that can help you improve your game by learning how to identify the signs that someone is holding a strong hand.

One of the most common mistakes that new players make is to try to hit a draw when it’s not worth it. This can cost you a lot of money in the long run, so it’s important to know when to fold and when to call.

It’s also important to fast-play your strong hands. This means making aggressive bets to build the pot and possibly chase off other players who are waiting for a draw that could beat your hand. This is a key aspect of winning poker and it’s something that most top players do.