Poker. A game often played by the smartest people in the room, where every move is as important as your own life! One misstep and you’re out! That’s how they do it in the movies, right?

Calm down. Poker isn’t all that hard to learn and also once you master the basics, it’s a smooth road down the hill. This guide will tell you exactly where to start and all the basic terms related to this brain hurting game. (Pun-intended) 

Sit back, relax and just keep scrolling.

Also Read: Play 3 Card Poker Online Real Money in India

Poker: Know the basics.

In a deck of 52 cards, cards are ranked in decreasing order(highest to lowest) and are categorized into 4 types that are displayed by different symbols called suits. (Clubs, Diamonds, Spades & Hearts)

Let’s look at the card ranking: (Top to bottom)

● Ace

● King

● Queen

● Jack

● 10

● 9

● 8

● 7

● 6

● 5

● 4

● 3

● 2

You should know that all the suits are equal in value. Let’s learn about the different types of poker variations.

Poker: Different variations.

There are many types of poker variations to learn about and play. Some of the popular ones are

● Texas Hold ’em

● Omaha Hold ’em

● Seven Card Stud

● Crazy Pineapple

● Five Card Draw

● Stud Poker

● Raze

● Five Card Stud and more…

Out of these, Texas Hold ’em is the most popular poker variation. It’s Texas Hold ’em that you will find at almost every online/live poker game. But before we learn about Texas Hold ’em, why not know some important terms?

Let’s begin:

In poker, there are different sets of cards known as hands. While each set contains 5 cards, hands are ranked and each hand is given a name.

1. The hand with the highest-ranking hand is known as Royal Flush. This hand includes an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and a 10. (Each being of the same suit)

2. A straight flush comprises 5 cards of the same suit. (Arranged in numerical order)

3. 4 of a kind hand comprises 4 cards of the same rank. But each suite is different. Along with the 5th card of any rank.

4. A full house has 3 matching cards of 1 rank and 2 matching cards of another rank.

5. A flush is a set of 5 cards, all of the same suit. (Not necessarily of the same rank)

6. 3 of a kind has 3 cards of the same suit and 2 different cards.

7. A 2-pair is a hand of two cards of one rank along with 2 cards of another rank. And 1 unmatched card.

8. Pair means you have 2 cards of the same rank and 3 other unmatched cards.

9. High Card is the hand of the lowest rank. No cards have the same rank, are not arranged in consecutive order and not all are from the same suit.

Action Calls on the Poker Table.

Each call on the Table has a different action to move the game forward until a winner is decided. Betting is done in a clockwise manner. When it’s your turn to make a bet you’re required to make a few actions.

Let’s know about them in detail.

Call: When the highest bet is made, the action to match the bet in a round is known as a call.

Raise: This action is called out when a player is going to make a bigger bet than the highest bet made earlier. This way, more money is put on the table.

Check: If you don’t wish to make a bet or to put money on the pot, you can raise this call to pass the turn to another player.

Bet: If you wish to wager money on the table. Make this call.

Fold: If you don’t want to match someone’s bet, this action is made to turn your cards to the dealer face-down.  That way, no other player would have an advantage over you.

Poker: Betting Rounds and actual Gameplay.

The betting rules tend to remain the same in Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, and Crazy Pineapple. (Talking about the popular ones)

Played in a clockwise direction, players are seated at a round table. In online poker, the position of a dealer is marked by the symbol D or Dealer. Left of the dealer are two positions known as the Big blind and the Small blind.

The betting rounds are as follows:

● Pre-Flop: Cards have been dealt, each player is given two cards known as hole cards. This round begins with the big blind making his move depending on how good his hole cards are. The cards are folded, the bet is raised. The player to the left of the big blind makes his move. That player is called Under the Gun. This round takes place till everyone has put equal chips (in place for money) in the pot. During the pre-flop, only the big blind is can check.

● Flop: After the pre-flop rounds get over. The dealer reveals three cards known as the Flop. The flop is a set of three community cards, which can be used by all the players to build a combination with their hole cards.

● Turn: One more card is being drawn and the post-flop round betting begins. This round begins with the remaining players usually the left one to the dealer. The dealer is left with three choices, to check and pass the opening act to the next player in turn. To bet an amount at least equivalent to the big blind and up to all the players’ chips or all in. To fold in the first position and simply pass the action to the next player. Should the first position make an opening bet, all of the following players can decide to fold. Or they must call a raise in turn, to stay at hand. If the first position and all the players in the round check in turn then the post-flop round is complete without an opening bet. The dealer reveals the fourth card known as the turn and the post-turn betting round begins.

● River: The dealer reveals the final community card known as the river and the final round of betting is commenced. During the final round, if all but one player fold their cards, the remaining player becomes the winner.

Bottom Line

So, this is how a game of poker is generally played. Whenever you visit any online poker gaming platform, just remember these steps and terms and you’ll win the round and the money! (of course) Texas Hold ’em being the most popular is more than enough to get you started. Once you master it, you can then jump on to the next poker variant. It’s easier than it sounds!

Happy Betting!

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