Guide to Poker

Goal

Get flush with the facts.

Poker and table games based on poker come in many forms, but the principles are the same: Create the best hand possible.

Rules

Know these like the back of your hand

1. Royal Flush: 10-Jack-Queen-King-Ace, all in the same suit

2. Straight Flush: Five cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking

3. Four Of A Kind: Four cards of the same rank

4. Full House: A Three Of A Kind with a Pair

5. Flush: Five cards of the same suit

6. Straight: Five cards of consecutive rank, regardless of suit

7. Three of a kind: Three cards of the same rank

8. Two pair: Two sets of two cards of the same rank

9. Pair: Two cards of the same rank

ETIQUETTE

Don’t act like a king. Be respectful of other players.

Texas Hold’Em varieties follow this basic format:

  • You place an initial bet, called an ante
  • Each player is dealt two cards face down (the “hole”), followed by a round of betting
  • Three community cards are dealt face up (the “flop”), followed by another round of betting
  • A fourth community card (the “turn”) is dealt face up, followed by more betting
  • Finally, a fifth community card (the “river”) is dealt face up, followed by a last round of betting
  • During each round, you can fold, stay pat or raise your bet
  • The player with the best five-card hand out of the seven total cards dealt is the winner

Odds

Always remain realistic about your chances of winning, and take a break if you’re beginning to lose sight of that

There are several variations of poker. Having a budget as well as an understanding of both skill level and house edge are good strategies for healthy gambling

Luck isn’t for you. Luck isn’t against you. Luck just doesn’t care.

TERMINOLOGY

Call: To make a wager equal to the amount of the wager made immediately prior

Raise: To make a wager higher than the last bet

Check: To waive the right to start betting, while retaining the right to act if another player begins to betting

Fold: To refuse to call a raise; the player leaves the hand and discards his or her cards

Blind Bet: In some forms of poker, players sitting at certain spots on the table will have to make a wager before seeing any cards

 

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