Texas Holdem Poker
Texas Holdem is the most popular form of poker that has become somewhat of an international phenomenon. Propelled into popular culture by film, the invention of online poker and televised tournaments, the game has swept across the globe, capturing the public’s imagination. Many beginner players start with Texas Holdem as it is one of the easiest forms of poker to pick up and learn. Don’t be deceived by the games simple appearance – players soon discover to fully master it takes a lot of time (and chips!).
In the game, each player receives 2 personal hole or pocket cards, and 5 community cards are dealt face up on the table. Players must make the best five-card hand using any combination of the seven cards. There are four betting rounds in the game, excluding the payment of the small and big blind, before the final winner showdown.
The Pre-Flop
To begin, all players are dealt 2 cards face down with the player on the small blind receiving the first card and the player with the dealer button getting the last card. Once every player has received their cards, the first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer either choosing to "Call", "Raise," or “Fold” his hand.
The Flop
After the first round of betting is completed, the first 3 community cards are dealt to the middle of the table. This is commonly referred to as the “Flop.” All players can use these cards. A second round of betting follows, beginning with the first active player to the left of the dealer.
The Turn
Once all players have participated in the betting round after the flop, a fourth card is dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is called the "Turn" card. Again, beginning with the first active player to the left of the dealer, another round of betting occurs. In many games, this is when the bet size doubles.
The River
Finally, the dealer turns the last community card face up on the table. This fifth card is called the "river,” and the fourth and final round of betting takes place. Players can utilize any of the 5 cards on the table, or the two cards in their pocket, to form their best five card hand.
The Showdown
After the final round of betting, all remaining players in the game must reveal their hands. Beginning with the player to the left of the last player to call, each player reveals their best five-card hand. The player with the highest hand wins the pot! There are rare instances where the five community cards on board form the best hand. If this happens the remaining active players split the pot evenly.
Betting Limits
The terms fixed limit, no limit and pot limit refer to the amounts that can be bet during each round. In a fixed limit game, the first two betting rounds are “fixed” at amounts equal to the big blind and the last two rounds at double the amount of the big blind. For example, a $1.00/$2.00 table has a small blind of $0.50 and a large blind of $1.00, betting in the first 2 rounds is then set at $1.00 per bet and the last 2 rounds at $2.00 per bet. In no limit poker, the bet on each round has, as the name states, no limit. In a pot limit game, the bet amount can be any figure up to the total amount that is already in the pot.
Omaha Poker
Omaha Poker is another popular community card poker game with rules similar to that of Texas Holdem. The main difference is each player is dealt 4 hole (or “pocket”) cards instead of the two in Texas Holdem. Players must also use exactly 2 of their hole cards and 3 of the five community cards to make the best five-card hand.
There are several variations of Omaha Poker, but the most commonly played games are the original Omaha or Omaha Hi Lo (also commonly known as Omaha/8). In regular Omaha poker, the goal is to create the highest poker hand possible with any 2 of hole cards and 3 community cards.
In an Omaha Hi Lo game, however, the pot is split between the highest poker hand and the lowest qualifying hand. To qualify as a low hand, the hand must be five unpaired cards with no cards higher than an 8. For example, the best low hand a player can hold is an A,2,3,4,5. Suits do not count in a low hand so a flush is not relevant. In the event that two low hands have the same highest card, the game is won by the hand holding the lowest 2nd card. If there are no qualifying low hands, the highest hand takes the whole pot.
Occasionally, Omaha Hi Lo is played with a 9 or a 7 -high qualifier instead of 8-high. It can also be played with five hole cards dealt to each player instead of four. Both cases are rare, but the same rules for making a hand apply: players must use exactly 2 cards from their hand, and exactly 3 from the board.
7 Card Stud
7 Card Stud is one of the most popular poker variants played in home, casinos, and online poker rooms. The game is played with two to seven players, and to win players must make the best hand using 5 of the 7 cards they are dealt throughout the course of the hand. Unlike Texas Holdem, all cards are dealt to the players and there are no shared community cards. Traditional 7 Card Stud has five betting rounds that do not including the ante.
Ante
Before the start of the game, all players must put up an ante. The exact ante amount varies depending on the limits of the game being played - usually between five and ten percent of the games large bet. There are some games where the ante is waived, but this is uncommon.
Third Street
Once all players have put up their ante, each player is dealt 2 hidden hole cards and one exposed card. The player with the lowest exposed card is the "bring-in", and must make another nominal bet or a full small bet (again, the exact amount depends on the game). Should a tie occur for the lowest card, the tie is broken by suit. The bring-in bet starts the first round of betting, running clockwise around the table, with each player having the option of folding, calling, or raising.
Fourth Street
Following the first round of betting, each player receives another exposed card. This is known as “Fourth Street.” Beginning with the player with the highest exposed hand, the second round of betting occurs.
Fifth & Sixth Street
Fifth Street is almost exactly like Fourth Street, with all active players receiving another exposed card and betting beginning with the player with the highest showing hand. However, in the Fifth Street round all future betting and raising must now be done at the big bet level. After the third round of betting, players are dealt their Sixth Street card. This is the last exposed card the players receive. And again starting with the highest poker hand, going clockwise, the fourth round of betting occurs.
The River & Showdown
After the Sixth Street round is completed, the dealer places a seventh and final hidden card in front of all remaining players and the final betting round occurs. Once all players have had a chance to act, the last player to bet or raise must reveal their cards, followed by the remaining players. The player with the best five-card hand wins the pot. Should two players have matching hands, the pot is divided equally.
7 Card Stud Hi Lo
Many players find regular 7 Card Stud challenging enough, and the Hi Lo version only adds to the difficulty level. In 7 Card Stud Hi Lo the pot is split between the best high hand and best qualifying low hand. The rules for a qualifying low hand are the same as in Omaha Hi Lo – a five card hand with five different ranking cards all eight or lower.
5 Card Stud
5 Card Stud poker is a similar game to 7 Card Stud, however, in this variation the players only receive (as the name suggests) five cards. A round begins with an initial deal consisting of 2 cards - one hidden and one exposed. The Third Street, Fourth Street and River cards are all dealt as exposed cards, with betting rounds following the dealing of each card. Player holding the best hand wins the pot.
There are variations of 5 Card Stud where two pocket cards are dealt, instead of the usual one. The order in which the pocket cards are dealt can vary, sometimes it is the first and last card, at other times the two opening cards with the player to the left of the dealer opening the bets.
5 Card Draw
5 Card Draw is what is commonly referred to as kitchen table poker as it is primarily played by people at home, and rarely in casino or tournaments. However, 5 Card Draw is another poker variant that has lost many of its players against the recent rise in popularity of Texas Holdem.
In a 5 Card Draw game, each player is dealt 5 hidden cards (there are no community cards). Starting with the player to the left of the dealer, each player is given the opportunity to bet, call or fold. After each player has had a chance to bet in the first round, players can then replace one, two, or three cards from their hand for new ones. If a player holds an ace, they have the option to trade in the other four cards, but are usually required to show the ace. Once everyone has their new cards, another round of betting occurs, followed by all remaining players revealing their hands. The player with the best hand wins the pot.