Poker is a card game that combines skill and luck to win, played in either cash or tournament play. Writing about poker should be entertaining and informative for readers, and can include personal anecdotes or techniques that are used during gameplay, such as discussing tells (unconscious habits of a player that reveal information). A good poker writer will keep up with the latest trends in both cash and tournament play, and will know how to write for a wide variety of audiences with different levels of understanding on the subject matter.

A key element in improving your poker game is studying your opponents. This is best done when you are not involved in a hand, as this allows you to take a more detached approach and notice little details that would otherwise be missed. Pay attention to things like what type of cards your opponent has, the strength of their bluffs, and how they react to each other.

It is also important to work on your mental game, which includes knowing how to handle bad beats and coolers. Many high stakes players are still terrible at handling these types of situations, which is not surprising considering how much money poker can burn through in a session. Developing this aspect of your game requires dedication and discipline, as well as the ability to recognize when it isn’t your day. Then you have to show up tomorrow and do it all over again.