Poker Writing: A New Writing Niche
Introduction
Poker writing is one of those writing niches that do not fit anywhere but they are fascinating.
It is a genre that did not exist as a viable alternative just a decade ago. But now there are writers out there earning a living as a “poker writer.”
So what’s “poker writing”? Is it technical writing? Or copywriting? I’d say it’s a little bit of both.
Background of Poker
Poker is a game of skill. It is not gambling, but rather a game of strategy. It is one of the most popular card games in the world, played by millions of people all over the world. The game is also quite popular on television and in casinos.
Poker is one of the oldest games in the world and has been played since ancient times. It is believed to be an ancestor of other card games like blackjack and rummy. The earliest known mention of poker was in 1694, when it was mentioned in a book called “A Little Treatise on the Game of Piquet” by French author Jean-Baptiste de La Rivière.
What You Need To Know To Start Writing Articles On Poker
If you are interested in becoming a poker writer, then you should know that there are many ways to do it. You can start by reading this article for some tips on how to get started writing articles about poker.
The first step to becoming a poker writer is to find your voice and what you want to write about. Write articles about topics that interest you and that you feel passionate about, rather than trying to please everyone else.
How to Start Writing for Poker Rooms & Blogs?
If you are a poker player, then you should know that there is a lot of good content out there about your favorite game. You can find blogs, forums, and poker rooms all over the internet. If you are looking for some quick cash writing about poker, then you will need to know how to start.
Start writing for poker rooms and blogs in 5 simple steps:
1) Find the Right Poker Blogs
2) Create Content for Poker Rooms & Blogs
3) Build Your Portfolio & Networking Skills
4) Promote Your Work
5) Be Patient
How to Write about Poker
The best way to write about poker is to start with the basics. There are many different variations of the game, but they all have some similarities. One similarity is that they are all played with cards and chips. The cards are dealt out by the dealer, who can also be called the “dealer.” The players then take turns betting on their hands.
Poker is a game that takes skill and strategy to win at – which means there are many ways to write about it!
Poker Terms Explained
Texas Hold’em is a game that is played between two players and often more, as is the case in Las Vegas tournaments. The goal of the game is to have the best five-card hand at the end.
The table is set up in a way that there are three cards dealt out in front of each player, one face-down and two face-ups. The player with the lowest hand starts first, then play proceeds clockwise around the table until everyone has had a chance to bet or fold.
Game Variations in Poker
There are many variations of poker, but the two most popular are cash games and tournament play.
Cash Games
Cash games are typically played with a small group of people around a table, with each player having their own stack of chips. The game is usually very fast-paced and the players bet continuously until one person has all the chips or everyone folds. Players can also “check” when they don’t want to bet, which means that they pass on their turn to act and wait for other players to act until it comes back to them again.
Tournaments
Tournaments are much more formal than cash games because there is no limit on how long you can play or how much you can win in one hand
Best Writing Tips
What are the best ways to approach writing about poker?
1) Write with enthusiasm and personality – if you’re not interested in what you’re writing, why should anyone else be?
2) Include anecdotes – if the story doesn’t have a good anecdote, it’s probably not worth telling.
3) Be descriptive – paint pictures in the reader’s head by using your words.
Write About Tells
One of the interesting ways to make a poker game appeal to millions of readers is to write about tells.
A tell is the unconscious habits of a poker player that reveal information about their hand.
Some common physical tells include eye contact, facial expressions, body language, and gestures.
Every poker player has a tell. It is the thing that lets the other players know what you are thinking. They can be as simple as a change in posture or as complex as a gesture.
Two Types of Tells
1) Verbal tells: The player gives off verbal clues such as sighing, shouting, or muttering to themselves. These verbal clues might be the player’s way of trying to release any pent-up frustration they have with their hand.
2) Nonverbal tells: These are physical gestures that give away the player’s emotions, thoughts, or intentions about their hand. Some examples include tilting one’s head to the side, scratching one’s nose, tilting one’s head back and forth, and rubbing their eye.
Bluffing or Not?
Players who are bluffing may exhibit different behaviors than those who are not, though some players may exhibit tells regardless of their hand. Some players believe that experienced players can learn to control their tells and use them to mislead other players about their hands, but this is generally considered an unreliable tactic.
Some common tells include:
– A player who blinks more than usual or has his eyes closed for long periods of time could be bluffing with weak cards.
– A player who chews gum might be trying to mask nervousness.
Observe the players, compare their tells to the outcome of the game, and transport your readers to the exciting world of a poker game right away.
Poker Magazines
Here are 5 poker magazines to submit your writings:
- Ante Up
- Card Player
- Poker Player
- WPT Poker
- Bluff
Conclusion: Tips on How to Become the Next Great Poker Writer!
The following are some tips to become the next great poker writer:
– Write about poker in a way that is engaging and interesting.
– Keep up with the latest trends in poker and what’s going on in major casinos like those in Las Vegas or Atlantic City in the USA.
– Understand the game well, with all its variants.
– Have a good understanding of how different players think and act during a game, including the famous tells.
– Have an idea of what kind of content will work well for your audience.
– Have top-notch writing skills, including writing for the five senses, as you will be writing for a public audience with varying degrees of knowledge on the subject matter.
