If you are an avid poker player and want to write articles about the game then you should be well versed in the rules and strategies. You should also have a good understanding of the various game variants and be able to read up on the latest developments in poker. It is also a good idea to read some theoretical books like David Sklansky’s The Theory of Poker on a regular basis so that you can apply what you have learned while playing the game.

Before a hand is dealt all active players must put in an initial amount, called the ante, into the pot. They can then choose to call, raise or fold their hand. The highest hand wins the pot.

After the ante is placed there is usually a round of betting. This is when the key players are revealed. During this time pay attention to the reactions of the players. For example, who flinched or smiled during the betting process?

Once the betting is over the dealer will deal three cards face up on the table that everyone can see. These are the community cards. You can then combine your two personal cards with these community cards to make a poker hand.

It is important to watch the other players in the game for tells, which are unconscious habits that reveal information about a player’s hand. These can be as simple as a gesture or as complicated as eye contact.