Poker is the game of choice for the modern gambler and card player – and online is most definitely where it’s at.
The most popular form of poker is Texas Hold ‘Em and the rules are simple. You must compose the best five-card hand comprising of your two private cards and any three of five community cards.
Two players each hand must put in an ante – a pre-deal bet – known as the the big blind and the small, which shifts clockwise around the table to the dealer’s left. These change according to the playing conditions stipulated by the in-house rules.
Each player is dealt two cards face down and the first round of betting follows as players assess the strength of their hand – and the betting of other players in the game.
Once concluded, three cards are dealt face up on the table – known as the flop – and betting continues as players look at the strength of their hand and assess the playing style of their opponents.
A fourth card – the turn – is then dealt face up and betting continues again. Once this is concluded, the fifth card – the river – is dealt face up in the middle of the table and betting continues.
The best five card hand of all the cards on the table and which must include both cards dealt to the player is deemed the winner.
Poker hands are ranked as follows:
1. Royal flush – A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit
2. Straight flush – Any straight of the same suit
3. Four of a kind
4. Full house – three of a kind and two of a kind
5. Flush
6. Straight
7. Three of a kind
8. Two pair
9. One pair
10. High card
While Texas Hold ‘Em is undoubtedly the number one game across the betting world, there are other common types of poker played online and at casinos.
Omaha: Similar to Hold ‘Em, four cards are dealt face down to the player. But in Omaha, players must form their hand from two of the four cards dealt face down, and three from the community cards dealt face up.
