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

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