How to Play Poker | Basic Poker Rules | Poker Hands Ranking
The most intellectual and popular card game that includes different variants of games which require skills and set rules to play is called poker. The most popular variant is Texas Holdem. Most of the card games have the same rules and regulations. So, in order to play any poker game, you should have to learn Poker Terms, poker rules, poker strategies and hand rankings as most of the games share the same poker hand rankings.
These variants share common betting styles like Limit, No-Limit and Pot-Limit. So, once you go through this article you can understand most of the poker games and even can play these games confidently. But first you need to go and get WSOP Free Chips to play these games.
Types of Poker
There are many types of poker card games, but here I will tell you about those that are popular and even you can play them online easily.
Texas Hold’em:
Texas Hold’em is the most popular of all the card games in which each player gets two hole cards, and the table is covered with 5 community cards. Button, Big Blind, and Small Blind are the main characters of this game.
Omaha:
Omaha Poker is also an amazing game to play, similar to Hold’em but with a slight difference in card distribution. Each player gets 4 hole cards, and each player only uses two of their hole cards and 3 community cards to make the best possible 5 card hand.
7 Card Stud:
7 card stud is a technical and conceptual game in which each player gets 7 cards, 4 cards face-up and 3 face-down. It includes no community cards.
3 Card Poker:
In 3 Card Poker there are 2 to 10 players and each player receives three cards face down and dealer is the opponent for each player.
Razz:
It is a subtype of 7 Card Stud in which a player has to get the lowest possible hand to win the game. For example, A, 2, 3, 4, 5 is the lowest possible hand in a Razz game.
Horse:
It is a combination of 5 poker games, which include Holdem, Razz, Omaha Hi-Lo, 7 Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo. These games are played in a rotation, so to play this game, a player should be skilful and have proper knowledge of these games.
Poker Rules & Hands
In order to play these poker games, there are sets of rules and regulations. So, when you join the table these rules should be kept in mind and apply your skills and poker tips & tricks to win the game either online or in a real casino.
Poker Hands and Ranking:
To play poker, you must have proper knowledge of all the hands of poker and their ranking. Most of the poker card games follow the same rules of ranking. To make it easier for you to understand, here is a picture showing all the hands of poker and their rankings.
House Rules:
House rules refer to guidelines or sets of rules that are enforced to obey in order to maintain the decorum of the game. These rules may vary from casino to casino, but some basic house rules that every casino follows are given below.
- Blinds and Ante: In order to play poker some games require Blinds ( Holdem ) while others require Ante to ensure chips/money on the table.
- Betting Limit: Every game should be pre-decided in terms of betting, whether it will be a Limit, No-Limit, Pot Limit or Fixed Limit game. So, each player should be prepared mentally.
- Button Position: The player who has the button deals with the cards. So, in home games, the position of the button rotates in order to give every player a chance to deal the cards. While in the casino a separate dealer deals the cards.
- Order of Play: The direction of play of the game is clockwise, and each player has 4 options: Call, Raise, Bet, or Check.
- Showdown the last Option: If two or more players left after the final round of betting ( the River ), then everyone has to show their cards, and the best hand wins the pot.
- Collision and Cheating: Secretly dealing with players or cheating is banned/prohibited in all the games of poker. There is no compromise on cheating in poker. So, never think about it.
- Time limit: There is a specific time limit in every game of poker due to slow play. Every player gets an equal amount of time to think and to play its turn.
- Misdeal: In case of a misdeal to any player ( like during dealing, a card suddenly turns over or something like that ), then cards should be redealt.
- Dispute: If a dispute happens among players, then it is the responsibility of the dealer or the host to resolve the issue, and everyone has to obey their decision. They have the authority of the final verdict.
- Raise Rule: In each betting round, a player can raise to 3 to 4 times maximum.
SIT and Go Poker Rules:
- Registration: When the players fill up the table after their registration then the tournament starts. Six to nine players usually take part in this game.
- Game Format: No limit like Holdem. The game ends when a player gets all the chips/money.
- Starting Chips: To begin the game, all players must have the same amount of chips ( 1500 to 3000).
- Elimination: When a player loses all of his chips, he gets eliminated.
- Payouts: It usually depends upon the entry fee. The top 2 players and sometimes 3 players get a payout. The payout percentage for the 1st position is 50-60%, for the 2nd position is 20-30%, while for the 3rd position is 10-20%.
- Heads-Up Play: If two players are left at the end of the game, then the game becomes heads-up. The player with a high stack has the advantage to win the game.
- Rebuy: When a player loses all of his chips, he gets eliminated, but some casinos allow rebuy during the starting stages of the game.
- End of Tournament: It ends with the ending of players until one player left who has all the chips.
Final Thoughts
This article will guide you through the common rules of poker and its related card games. By going through this article you will have a proper understanding of poker games, its rules and the common terms used in all of the poker card games. Now, you can manage tournaments at home by applying these rules if you are afraid of going to a casino. But the rules should be implemented strictly in order to maintain discipline.
