Poker is one of the most adaptable card games around. There are almost infinite variations played in homes across the world, but we like to focus on the ‘big five’ – Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud and 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo. These are the most popular games played in casinos, card rooms and cyberspace.
Lets have a look at a couple of the popular games.
Texas Hold’em
One of the most popular variations of poker is Texas Hold’em. Conveniently it is also the easiest to learn.
To begin with players are dealt two ‘hole’ cards that only they can see and use. Then, five ‘community’ cards are dealt in the middle of the table that everyone can see and use with their hand. Players can make their five-card hand from both, one or none of their hole cards in combination with the community cards.
The game is split into four rounds of betting, and the game moves clockwise around the table. Betting starts from the player position next to the dealer button, which moves one place to the left after each hand. In online games, the dealer button replaces the ‘real’ dealer.
If two or more players hold equally-strong winning five-card hands and tie, the pot will be split between the two players. If there is an odd chip left from the winnings, the player sitting closest to the left of the dealer button will receive this. At PartyPoker.com the value of an odd chip is 1 cent
The Blinds
Before the game starts, the two players sat to the left of the dealer post ‘blind’ bets, these are called blinds because they are made before the players have seen any cards. The blinds ensure that there is some money in the pot to play for as the game starts. The player to the left of the dealer posts the ‘small blind’, and the player positioned to his left then posts the ‘big blind’.
Pre Flop Action
Each player is dealt two cards, face down. These are called hole or pocket cards. The action begins on the player to the left of the big blind. He or she has three options: either call the bet, raise the bet, or fold.
- Call
- match the amount bet in the big blind
- Raise
- increase the amount bet
- Fold
- give up the cards and any stake in the hand
This betting procedure continues clockwise around the table until each player has had a chance to act on their hand.
If one of them raises, then all players wishing to remain in the pot must match the raise amount, re-raise it or fold without having to invest any more money.
The player in the big blind (the first compulsory full bet), can ‘check’ and opt to stay in the game without adding anything to the pot. However, if an opponent has raised, then the big blind has three options: fold, call, or re-raise.
Once all players have folded or matched each others’ bets, the flop is dealt.
The Flop
This stage involves dealing three ‘community’ cards face up on the table. Players can use these to make their five-card hand. A second round of betting follows.
The Turn
The fourth community card is dealt face up on the table. The third round of betting follows.
The River
The fifth and final community card is dealt, followed by the final round of betting.
The Showdown
If there is more than one player left in the game, there is a showdown in which the players reveal their cards and the highest hand wins (see Rank of Hands). If two players share an identical hand, the pot is split.
Omaha
Another much-loved variation of poker is Omaha. In this game, players receive four ‘hole’ cards that only they can see, and five ‘community’ cards are dealt face up for everyone’s use. Each player must use two of their hole cards, as well as three of the community cards, to make up their hand.
The game is split into four rounds of betting, and the betting proceeds clockwise around the table. Betting starts from the left position next to the dealer button, which moves one place to the left after each hand. In online poker games, the dealer button replaces the ‘live’ dealer.
If two or more players hold equally-strong winning five-card hands, the pot will be divided between the two tying players. If there is an odd chip, the player sitting closest to the left of the dealer button will receive this . At PartyPoker.com the value of the odd chip is 1 cent
The Blinds
Prior to the beginning of the game, the two players to the left of the dealer post ‘blind’ bets. These are so-called because they are made before the players see any community cards. The blinds are there to make sure that there is money in the pot at the beginning of the game. The player to the left of the dealer posts the ‘small blind’ then the player to his left posts the ‘big blind’.
Pre-Flop
Four cards are dealt to each player that only they can see. These are called ‘hole’ cards. Next, the first round of betting is started by the f player to the left of the big blind. This player, who is known as ‘under the gun’, can do one of the following:
- Call
- Equal the amount bet in the big blind,
- Raise
- increase the bet, or
- Fold
- Give up his cards and stake in the game.
When the betting returns to the player who made the initial full bet (the big blind) that player can ‘check’ or opt to stay in the game without adding anything to the pot. However, if an opponent has raised, the big blind player has three options: to call, re-raise or fold
The Flop
Three ‘community’ cards, which all players can use to make their five-card hand, are dealt face up on the table. A second round of betting follows.
The Turn
A fourth community card is dealt face up on the table. The third round of betting follows.
The River
The fifth and final community card is dealt, followed by the final round of betting.
The Showdown
At the final phase, if there is more than one player left in the game, there is a showdown. Here, the players reveal their cards and the highest hand is declared winner (see Rank of Hands). If two players share an equally strong hand, the pot is divided between the two.
7 Card Stud
7 Card Stud used to be the most popular variety of poker, until Texas Hold’em took its crown. It is quite different from both Texas Hold’em and Omaha and it requires a certain amount of patience. However, it’s an exciting game that can be very rewarding!
Before a game starts, each player must post an ‘ante’, a mandatory amount that ensures there is some money in the pot. In stud poker games, there are no community cards. Instead, the dealer begins by dealing clockwise until each player has three cards. The first two cards are dealt face down (‘hole’ cards), the third face up (the ‘door’ card).
7 Card Stud is divided into five rounds of betting, and the betting moves clockwise around the table.
If two or more players tie by holding equally-strong winning five-card hands, the pot will be split between the tying players. If there is an odd chip, it will be given to the player whose hand has the higher suit. At PartyPoker.com the value of the odd chip is 1 cent.
Opening the Betting
The player with the lowest-ranking up card starts the game with a token bet called the ‘bring-in’. (If two or more players have the same lowest card, the bring-in is determined by suit in alphabetical order: clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades.)
Third Street
Once the bring-in bet has been made, each player (starting with the player to the left of the bring-in) can fold, call, or raise to the betting limit.
Fourth Street
Everyone is dealt another up card. At this point, the player with the highest two up cards starts the betting. On this round of betting only, if a player gets an open pair, he or she can make a double bet.
Fifth Street
Everyone is dealt another up card. The player with the highest combination of up cards starts the betting.
Sixth Street
Everyone is dealt another up card. Again, the player with the highest combination of up cards starts the betting.
Seventh Street or The River
Everyone is dealt their final down card. The same player who started the last round starts the betting.
Showdown
The player with the best hand wins.
