Today, we live in a very technologically advanced age where the need for a physical presence to play casino games has been eliminated almost entirely. Poker, in particular, is at the peak of popularity across online casinos around the world. Globally, millions of people play the game daily for a chance to win or simply for the fun of it. Interested in learning more about poker? This article will cover poker rules and the basics of gameplay.
Today, we live in a very technologically advanced age where the need for a physical presence to play casino games has been eliminated almost entirely. Poker, in particular, is at the peak of popularity across online casinos around the world. Globally, millions of people play the game daily for a chance to win or simply for the fun of it. Interested in learning more about poker? This article will cover poker rules and the basics of gameplay.
What is Poker?
Poker is a card game in which the players’ hands are ranked based on the cards they have. Each variant of poker is different; they vary on the number of cards dealt out, the number of hole and community cards available, the betting rounds and the hand rankings used. All poker variants share the same backbone structure while offering a unique take on classic gameplay. From the quick three-card poker to the bet-against-the-house Caribbean stud — there are plenty of games to choose from. For the rookies out there, Texas hold ‘em is a great place to start. The objective is to build the best five-card hand out of the player’s two cards and the five community cards over several rounds of betting. This game didn’t gain much traction until the late 70s, but online and television exposure in the early 2000s propelled it forward. Texas hold ‘em overtook seven-card stud as the most widespread poker game in US casinos and became a staple game in online casinos worldwide. No-Limit Texas hold ‘em is commonly found in international poker tournaments, allowing players to raise any amount over the minimum or all-in outright. Whether you choose to play online or at land-based casinos, you should take a moment to take a look at the basic rules.
Texas Hold ‘em Basics
- During the first round of betting, the player receives two cards face down, called hole cards. In online poker, these cards are shared between the players and will be dealt face up. Once two hole cards have been dealt to the player, the pre-flop action begins with the player seated to the left of the big blind.
- Five community cards are dealt in three stages: the flop, turn and street. These cards will be placed at the centre of the table and will be visible to all.
- Three cards are dealt in the flop, followed by a betting round where players can bet, check, raise, call or fold. Once a bet has been made, the other players’ actions can be call, raise or fold. The same applies to the turn and the river.
- The turn adds another community card to the table and a round of betting. Players now have their initial two cards and the four community cards to make a five-card hand.
- The last community card is placed, and a final round of betting takes place after the river. At this point, there are usually just two or three remaining players. The first one to act can check or bet. If a bet has been made, the other(s) can call, raise or fold.
- Once the final betting round concludes, the showdown begins. The remaining players reveal their cards and the best five-card hand wins, according to poker hand rankings.
Understanding the basics of playing Texas hold ‘em will get you up and running on other poker variants as well. Three Card Poker, for example, is one of poker’s fast-paced variants with the objective is to obtain a three-card hand rather than one with five cards.
The Betting Rounds
After the cards are dealt out, the players must act in turn, moving in the clockwise direction. Players can take one of the following actions on their turn:
- Check — Players can perform a check, opting to not bet into the pot. The action goes clockwise, and a round may conclude with all players checking.
- Bet — Players can put in a bet if no one else has made a bet. Once a bet has been made, the rest of the table can call, fold or raise.
- Fold — Players who fold give up their hand and cannot partake in any further actions.
- Call — Players can call the bet if any other player has bet in the current round. The call matches the highest bet made.
- Raise — Players can also choose to increase an existing bet in the same betting round. A raise must be equal to at least the amount of the last bet (or raise). For example, if the last bet was €2, then the raise must be by at least €2.
The Showdown
If at least two players remain in play after the final round of betting, the showdown begins. If nobody acted on the river, the first player to show their cards is the player who acted first. If there are more than two players left, then the next player to the left will reveal their hand and so on, clockwise. The player with the highest-ranking five-card hand wins the pot! In online poker, like Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em Poker or Texas Hold ‘em Bonus Poker, there are no player turns and showdowns. Instead, the game is played against the house, and each player makes independent decisions on the same cards. There is no common pot either, as players wager individually, and the payouts are calculated when the player’s round ends.
The showdown is not all about showing cards! In competitive play, this is one of the most strategic stages of the game. If you see that an opponent has beaten your hand, you can choose to muck (discard) your cards instead. Not revealing your cards will prevent your opponents from getting a good read on you (or your bluff!) and may be advantageous in future rounds.
In general, it is possible to win without a showdown. If all opponents fold in earlier stages, then the pot goes to the last man standing. Showing or not, in this case, is also strategic: show your bluff, and you may get paid off on a strong hand; show a strong hand, and you may have the upper hand on a bluff the next time. Not showing at all and keeping the table guessing might just be the wisest strategy of all!
The game can also end during any of the earlier betting rounds. If only one player remains, the pot is theirs regardless of whether they show their cards.
Hand Ranks
Before you make an account and start playing online poker, you should first familiarise yourself with the hand rankings to ensure that you do not make mistakes. Fortunately, one of the greatest advantages of playing online is having easy access to everything you need to know right on the user interface. Simply click on the ‘?’ or ‘Info’ buttons on your game of choice to pull up the rules, payouts and hand rankings. On top of that, many online poker tables will automatically display your hand’s rank as the cards are dealt. As long as you are familiar with the rank hierarchy, you’ll be good to go.
From the lowest to the highest rank, the poker hands are as follows: high card, pair, two pairs, three of a kind, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush and the royal flush.
Conclusion
Now that you understand the basics of Texas hold ‘em, you can try your luck at the tables! Online poker is a great way to get started, as you’ll have everything you need right on the game’s interface. Before you place your wager, take a moment to look through the game’s rules, payouts and hand rankings. Once you feel that you’re comfortable with the gameplay, take a back seat and observe how the rounds unfold. This will help you get a better idea of the game’s pace and timing since all actions must be made within a limited time frame. You can also read online guides or watch tutorial videos to improve your poker strategy and get a solid grasp on concepts like odds and the house edge. Most importantly, play responsibly and have fun!