Poker is a card game where players place chips (representing money, for which the game is almost invariably played) into the pot and compete to win it. Each player has two options: to call a bet, or to fold. Players may also bluff, betting that they have the best hand when in fact they do not. If other players do not call the bluff, the player with the best hand wins the pot.
A poker hand consists of five cards. Its value is in inverse proportion to its mathematical frequency: a royal flush is the rarest hand and thus the most valuable. Other high hands include straights and four of a kind. The lowest hand is a pair of low cards.
If a player raises his bet, the other players must either call the bet or fold. This is one of the most important skills to develop in poker. The more you practice this, the better your decision-making will become, and you will find that your bankroll will grow.
Once you have decided what your book will focus on, keep a file of poker hands that are relevant to the topic. This will allow you to test your theory as you write. It is also a good idea to keep a log of your play, as it will help you remember the details of a particular hand. It is a good idea not to dig through the cards after a hand is over to see “what you might have had.” This slows the game down and looks suspicious.