Poker is a card game that requires both skill and luck to be successful. It can be played in a cash or tournament environment, and many of the same strategies are applicable to both formats. A top-notch poker writer must be able to engage and inform readers through personal anecdotes, describe techniques used during play, and discuss tells — unconscious habits displayed by a player during gameplay that reveal information about their hand.

Developing a solid poker strategy is essential for anyone interested in winning real money at the game. There are a number of key elements that must be taken into account to increase your chances of success, such as:

Categorize your starting hands based on their potential strength. Premium hands like suited aces with high kickers should be played aggressively, while speculative and marginal hands can often be folded.

Position is an important factor in poker, as the later your position is, the more information you have about opponents’ actions before making a decision. The dealer button position is the best, as it allows you to act last in every betting round post-flop and exploit opponents by playing a wider range of hands.

Whenever possible, try to minimize your risk by maximizing the amount of chips you put in the pot when calling an opponent’s bet. This will ensure that you only make calls when the odds are in your favor and that you are not throwing away good money.