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Poker

Know when to hold-em, when to fold-em, and when to walk away.

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

The following hands are common to all types of poker:

Royal Flush: 10-Jack-Queen-King-Ace, all in the same suit

A royal flush

Straight Flush: Five cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking

A straight flush

Four Of A Kind: Four cards of the same rank

Four Of A Kind

Full House: A Three Of A Kind with a Pair

A Full House

Flush: Five cards of the same suit

A Flush

Straight: Five cards of consecutive rank, regardless of suit

A Straight

Three of a kind: Three cards of the same rank

A Straight

Two pair: Two sets of two cards of the same rank

Two Pair

Pair: Two cards of the same rank

A Pair

 

Etiquette

Hold’em is a popular version of poker. Varieties follow this basic format.

Ante: You place an initial bet, called an ante, to signal that you are playing this hand.

Hole: Each player is dealt two cards face down (“the hole”). This is followed by a round of betting, during which you can either fold, check, or raise your bet.

The Flop: Three community cards are dealt face up (“the flop”), followed by another round of betting.

The Turn: A fourth community card (“the turn”) is dealt face up, followed by more betting.

The River: Finally, a fifth community card is dealt face up, followed by a last round of betting.

Odds

Luck isn’t against you. Luck isn’t for you. Luck just doesn’t care.

  • 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

Know the game. Play on your terms.

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

Call: To make a wager equal to the amount of the wager made immediately prior

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

Raise: To make a wager higher than the last bet