Poker is a card game in which players make bets according to their probability of making a winning hand. The game originated in the sixteenth century and is now played throughout the world. Its popularity has recently increased with the rise of online poker sites. There are many variants of the game, but all share some basic rules.
To win at poker, you must have a clear plan and stick to it even when things don’t go your way. Human nature will always try to derail you. You might get lucky and make a bad call or bluff in the wrong spot, but you must resist these temptations to be successful.
It is important to study the odds and probabilities of the cards you are dealt. This will help you decide whether to raise or fold and how much to bet. You should also pay attention to the tells of other players. It is easier to pick up on these when you are not involved in a hand.
It is important to keep a file of hands that are relevant to your topic. This will give you a good idea of what type of poker book you want to write. Some authors use their own experiences as the basis for their books, while others will look at a wider range of hands that have been played to come up with a theory on poker strategy. Either way, your book should have plenty of practical examples.