Poker Rules and Tips

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Poker rules and tips

One deck of 52 cards with the jokers removed is used. Before any cards are dealt, players make an initial bet called an ante-bet. This helps to increase the pot. It also makes the game more competitive as players are more likely to try to win the pot if they have contributed to it. All the bets are placed in the centre of the table. In casinos, players exchange their stake money for chips.
Each player receives five cards dealt face down. A round of blind betting may take place (players make a bet without looking at their cards). This further increases the pot. Players look at their cards. A round of betting commences starting with the player to the left of the dealer (in forms of poker where some cards are placed face up, the player with the highest or lowest card may bet first).
Each player has the option of betting or folding (withdrawing from the game). A player holding a poor hand may decide to fold. If you fold, your cards are returned to the dealer without being revealed to the other players. You lose any bets made.
Some games allow players to 'check'. This usually happens on the first round of betting after the cards have been dealt. Players do not have to participate in the first round of betting, instead they announce 'check'. If they wish to continue in the game they must bet on their next turn. If all the players decide to check, new hands are dealt to everyone. Some players use checking as a strategy for bluffing. They have a good hand but do not want to make it obvious on the first round of betting. When it is their turn to make a bet, they raise the stakes. This strategy is called 'sandbagging'. However, if you have a fairly decent hand, it can be a risky strategy to check. If all the other players check you will lose out on a pot that you may have won.
The first bet determines how much each player has to bet in order to stay in the game. Players may also raise the bet up to the agreed maximum. Betting continues until either only one player remains or there is a showdown and players reveal their hands. If only one player remains (all the others have folded), he will win the pot. He does not reveal his cards to the other players. If there is a showdown, the player with the highest ranking poker hand wins the pot. In the event of a tie the pot is shared.

How the hands are ranked

Hands are ranked as follows (from high to low): Royal Flush
Five of a Kind
Straight Flush
Four of a Kind
Full House
Flush
Straight
Three of a Kind
Two Pair
Pair
High Card

Descriptions of Hand Ranks

Five of a Kind

A five of a kind (which is only possible when using wild cards) is the highest possible hand. If more than one hand has five of a kind, the higher card wins (Five Aces beats five kings, which beat five queens, and so on).

Straight Flush

A straight flush is the best natural hand. A straight flush is a straight (5 cards in order, such as 5-6-7-8-9) that are all of the same suit. As in a regular straight, you can have an ace either high (A-K-Q-J-T) or low (5-4-3-2-1). However, a straight may not 'wraparound'. (Such as K-A-2-3-4, which is not a straight). An Ace high straight-flush is called a Royal Flush and is the highest natural hand.

Four of a Kind

Four of a kind is simply four cards of the same rank. If there are two or more hands that qualify, the hand with the higher-rank four of a kind wins. If, in some bizarre game with many wild cards, there are two four of a kinds with the same rank, then the one with the high card outside the four of the kind wins. General Rule: When hands tie on the rank of a pair, three of a kind, etc, the cards outside break ties following the High Card rules.

Full House

A full house is a three of a kind and a pair, such as K-K-K-5-5. Ties are broken first by the three of a kind, then pair. So K-K-K-2-2 beats Q-Q-Q-A-A, which beats Q-Q-Q-J-J. (Obviously, the three of a kind can only be similiar if wild cards are used.)

Flush

A flush is a hand where all of the cards are the same suit, such as J-8-5-3-2, all of spades. When flushes ties, follow the rules for High Card.

Straight

A straight is 5 cards in order, such as 4-5-6-7-8. An ace may either be high (A-K-Q-J-T) or low (5-4-3-2-1). However, a straight may not 'wraparound'. (Such as Q-K-A-2-3, which is not a straight). When straights tie, the highest straight wins. (AKQJT beats KQJT9 down to 5432A). If two straights have the same value (AKQJT vs AKQJT) they split the pot.

Three of a Kind

Three cards of any rank, matched with two cards that are not a pair (otherwise it would be a Full House . Again, highest three of a kind wins. If both are the same rank, then the compare High Cards.

Two Pair

This is two distinct pairs of card and a 5th card. The highest pair wins ties. If both hands have the same high pair, the second pair wins. If both hands have the same pairs, the high card wins.

Pair

One pair with three distinct cards. High card breaks ties.

High Card

This is any hand which doesn't qualify as any one of the above hands. If nobody has a pair or better, then the highest card wins. If multiple people tie for the highest card, they look at the second highest, then the third highest etc. High card is also used to break ties when the high hands both have the same type of hand (pair, flush, straight, etc).

Poker tips

Play a game with which you are familiar. This will give you a chance to get used to online poker.
If you're having a bad time at the tables, leave it and come back later just to keep yourself fresh.
One of the more popular poker tips is that you should always study. The best way to improve your game is to study and practice your skills in low stakes games.
Don't expect to win in every session you play.
You should never feel intimidated. Play steady, and have fun.

Know your Poker Hands

From lowest to highest:

High card: If nobody at the table has a Pair or better, whoever has the highest card wins.
Pair: One Pair with three distinct cards. High cards break ties.
Two Pairs: A hand with two Pairs, the highest Pair wins. A High card decides the winner if Players have the same ranked pairs.
Three of a kind: Three cards of the same value where the High card will break ties.
Straight: Five consecutive cards, but not from the same suit. The highest Straight wins. Two straights of the same value split the pot.
Flush: Five cards of the same suit in no particular order. If a Flush ties, the highest cards win.
Full House: Two cards of one value and three cards of another. The highest Full House wins.
Four of a kind: Also called a Poker, four cards of the same value.
Straight Flush: Five cards of the same suit in consecutive order.
Royal Flush: The same as a Straight Flush but the highest card is an Ace