Poker has been one of the most popular casino gambling games for decades. The first documented games of poker were from the 17th century. The French would play this game to pass the time and entertain themselves. Gambling in one of the oldest forms of entertainment in the world. The game of poker has grown and developed into a very technical way of playing cards. There are a multitude of different ways to play poker, the most popular being Texas Hold ‘Em. This game became popular in Texas during the Wild West days and the rules make for an exciting game. Poker is based off of a deck of 52 cards. The objective is to create the best hand from the community cards and the cards in your possession. Each winning hand should be a combination of these cards:
Royal Flush This is 5 cards of the same suit, can be played low or high: AKQJT
Straight Flush Similar to the royal flush but can be with smaller cards: A2345
Four of a Kind 4 cards of the same exact rank: JJJJT
Full House 3 cards of one rank with 2 more cards of equal rank: QQQ33
Flush 5 cards of the same exact suit: AQ942
Straight 5 cards in a sequence: AKQJT
Three of a Kind 3 cards of the same rank and 2 cards of another rank: KKK46
Two Pairs 2 cards of 1 rank and three cards of another rank: QQ337
One Pair 2 cards of 1 same rank accompanied by cards of varied ranks: KK6A4
High Card Mixed suits or a combination of any of the winning hands above: Q7856
The game starts with atleast two players. Once the players have placed their bets, two cards are dealt to them. The flop (this is the first three face-up cards shown) is turned. Another round of betting commences and the river (the fourth face-up card show) is turned. After the river an additional round of betting persues. Finally the showdown (the last chance to bet and show cards). The player with the best possible hand is the winner. If the players have similar strenght hands, then the pot is divided. Poker can be a very lucrative game if played right. There is some strategy in this game and it isn’t only luck. Learn to play your cards right and you could win big! Poker is very popular and excitig game, it is even broadcast on your television.
History of Poker
Poker has become one of the most popular global hobbies of all time. There is no official documentation of how or where the game first began. Many educated historians believe the game became well-know, in more than one region in the 18th century. The origins have been traced back to an American-French ancestry. Supposedly in New Orleans is where the basic rules of the game were established. The game became wildly popular salons and Mississippi riverboats. Poker was first played with a small stack of only 20 cards, where only small combination could be made. The game was very simple, yet difficult to make exciting hand combinations. The highest hand one could receive was four aces or 4 kings and an ace. This 20 card poker game was popular for quite some time, until more rules were added to make the game more interesting and challenging.
In the 1830’s the 52 card play was standard. This brought poker a whole new revival on the scene and the game was more fun than ever. Also, around this same time period a similar game of poker (Brag) became trendy in Europe. This game is no longer popular in Europe and has been taken over by poker. Real poker was introduced to the Europeans by an American ambassador and became an everlasting trend ever since. Many believe poker is more like in Europe than in is in the United States.
Tournament poker play was introduced in the 70’s and is now even broadcast on prime-time television! Bluffing has always been the major draw. Many find this the most entertaining part of the game. Tricking other card players, using their wits and acting skills. Poker is a game which transcends the language and cultural barriers of our society and world. This game has advanced and morphed into a fairly complex game. Who knows what the game will be like in the future. Gambling may be totally different. One thing that will always stay the same is the basic rules. No matter how much poker changes, bluffing and betting will always stay the same.
Aces full - A full hand of just aces, which can be matched with other pairs.
Action - These are high action matches, with exciting card hands which happen frequently. The pot will rapidly increase and great deal of money and winnings will be included.
All in - Putting all of your chips in the pot and going all the way in with just one hand. Many players use this strategy combined with bluffing to win and trick players.
Ante - Small or large bets placed in the pot before the game begins. The ante is used in regular card games and isn’t frequently used in Texas hold ‘em. Can be comprised of chips, cash or other bets.
Bad beat - When two players go up against each other in the showdown. When one player makes a large bet and is confident with the strength of their cards and another player wins the pot with an even better hand. A bad beat can be devastating and totally take a player out of the game.
Bank roll - All of the chips, money and bets in the possession of the player. The specific amount of money a player has set aside for gambling.
Big blind - Used in the game of Texas hold ‘em. This is larger than the small blind and must be placed before the beginning of the game. The blinds rotate after each hand is started. The big blind helps to build the pot, so that some type of winner is determined from the hand.
Bluff - Hiding your cards from another player and faking or lying about what cards they posses. This type of playing can be very usefull and if executed correctly, a player can win.
Boat - Another term for a full house.
Bot - This is a term used for robot. This refers to the artificial intelligence players in online or mobile card games.
Brick & motar - A real life casino as opposed to a mobile or online casino.
Bust - When a player losses their hand, bankroll or bets. This term is used in a few other casino games as well.
Buy in - The amount of bets or money a player must place on a table to enter a game.
Call - To put a certain amount of money in the pot, to match a previous player’s bet.
Cap - This is only acceptable in a few poker games. To cap a game means set a certain amount of bets.
Check - When a player does not bet, fold or raise. This is when a player chooses not to make any action. Checking may only be done at specific times during the game.
Complete hand - A hand made up of a straight, flush, full house, straight flush or 4 of a kind.
Dead Man - A well known term for a popular hand of aces and eights.
Dog - Another term for an underdog or an unexpected winner.
Equity - A winner’s share of the pot.
Family pot - A pot where all players call before the flop is made.
Fish - This is another term for a bad player. One who doesn’t understand the game and is an easy target.
Fifth street - This is the last card drawn in Texas hold ‘em, the showdown proceeds this last card and the pot is awarded.
Flop - The first three community cards drawn in the poker game of Texas hold ‘em.
Fold - To toss cards and pass for a specific round.
Foul - A hand or card that may not be used for one reason or another. Either the cards have been seen by another or are deemed unusable.
Full house - A great hand which has two cards of the same hand rank and three other cards of different ranks.
House - Establishment and people running the game.
Inside straight draw - A hand of cards which 4 cards are combined with two cards to make a flush.
Jackpot - pot containing bets to be won.
Kicker card - The kicker cards strength helps to determine the winner of the pot. The player with the highest card strength helps to kick the tie.
Ladies - Nickname for the queens.
Lead - The first player to place a bet into the pot.
Leak - Weakness in a player which makes them more susceptible to losing or another player understanding their game.
Maniac - An aggressive player who bets and raises often.
Muck - To fold or throw cards away.
Nuts - Best possible hand in poker. When a player has the nuts in, they are extremely confident of the hand they posses.
Offsuit - A hand in Texas hold ‘em that starts with two different hand strength hands.
Outs - The number of cards in the deck which can make a productive poker hand.
Overcall - To place another bet after a player has called.
Pocket Rockets - A great hand of cards.
Quads - Exactly four cards of the same rank, otherwise known as four of a kind.
Rack - A device created to store and count chips. Each rack equal $100 worth of chips.
Rake - The money taken out of every pot for the dealer. This money goes to the casino.
Raise - Adding additional bets to increase the pot size and the bet the other players must set.
Ring game - Any non-tournament, average game.
River - Also known as 5th street or the last card drawn in Texas hold ‘em.
Rock - A strong player, who is very protective of their bankroll.
Showdown - This is when two or more players are left and they must show cards at the end of a match.
Stack - The sum of the player’s chips.
Split pot - When the pot is split between two players with exact strength cards.
Turn - The fourth card turned in hold ‘em, also known as fourth street.
Wheel - A straight from the ace card to a five.
Education – Take a great deal of time to really learn the game. The more you know about poker, the better. It is a golden rule that you shouldn’t play for real cash, until you have played a few rounds of poker. If you start playing with real bets, you will lose a lot of money. Poker only takes a few minutes to learn and a lifetime to master. The internet is a great educational resource. Take a trip to your local library. You will be amazed by all the great information you will find.
Change Your Game – Don’t let other players read your style of play. Change up your game throughout your time playing. This will confuse the other players and they will not know what hit them. Players who understand the game of poker and who have experience will be able to pick your strategy apart in minutes. Try new ways of betting or make an unexpected move, you will throw the other players for a loop.
Folding Is Ok – It is perfectly alright to fold or throw a hand away. There is no sense trying to play a worthless hand. More experienced players believe timing is the best strategy to win. Perfect cards will not land in your lap every single hand. You must be patient and learn when to hold em and when to fold em. A more educated player will fold a good hand, to wait for an amazing hand.
Focus – Always keep your eyes on your cards. Some players only check their cards once in a round. These players are experienced and have excellent memories. Less experienced players may have to keep and even closer eye on their cards. Do not let your attention become distracted, other players will take advantage of your distracted concentration and take all you have.
Calm Down – Take a break! It’s not a good idea to play poker for extended periods of time. Many players feel that taking a break improves their game. Grab a drink or a snack and go for a little walk. Many players begin to experience fatigue when playing for extended periods of time. Playing for such a long time will hurt your game and you will end up losing.
Players must dedicate a great deal of time to the game of poker, in order to be successful. Good luck!