watzitoou
01-03-2008, 12:27 AM
Rules
Before the first card is dealt, two mandatory bets (called the little blind and the big blind) are placed by the first two players to the left of the dealer. These bets ensure there is money in the pot to encourage play.
Once the blinds are in, the first cards are dealt. Starting one person to the left of the dealer (or "dealer button", see below for additional information), one card is dealt face down to each player. Then, proceeding in the same order, a second card is dealt face down to each player.
These two cards are called "pocket" or "hole" cards. You may view your cards at this stage, but care should be used to ensure that other players never see your pocket/hole cards.
After reviewing your cards, you place your bet. What type of bet you place is, in part, dependent on the betting structure you're using.
The dealer places three cards face up in the middle of the table (the "flop"). These three cards are the first of the "community cards" (see above) that are shared by all players. These cards remain on the table throughout the hand.
After reviewing the flop, you place your bet. What type of bet you place is, in part, dependent on the betting structure you're using.
The dealer places another card face up on the table. Placement of the fourth community card is called "the turn".
After reviewing the turn card, you place your bet. What type of bet you place is, in part, dependent on the betting structure you're using.
The dealer places the fifth and final community card face up on the table. Placement of this card is called "the river".
After reviewing the river card, you place your bet. What type of bet you place is, in part, dependent on the betting structure you're using.
Players who have not folded show their hands. The person who placed the first bet is the first to show and show continues to that person's left until all players have shown their cards.
Using the community cards (which remain on the table) and their pocket cards, each player announces their best possible hand. You may use one or both cards in your hand and 0 - 5 of the community cards.
When the best hand possible (for everyone) is made up of just "community cards" (no pocket/hole cards), then the pot is split by everyone still in the game (everyone who hasn't folded).
Hand Rankings
Royal Flush - (sometimes called the Royal Straight Flush) is the highest hand that can be dealt. It is also the rarest, so don't expect to see a lot of these. In fact, don't be surprised if you never see one.
In a Royal Flush, all five cards must be of the same suit, numerically sequenced, begin with the 10 card and end with the Ace.
Straight Flush - "flush" it means all of your cards are the same suit (hearts, spades, clubs, or diamonds).
Whenever you have a "straight" it means all of your cards are in numerical sequence.
In a straight flush, you have five cards of the same suit AND in numerical sequence.
If two players have a straight flush (and there is no higher hand), the player with the straight flush with the highest ranking card wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 3d, 4d, 5d, 6d, 7d (winner)
Player Two: 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s
Four of a kind - means you have four cards with the same numeric value in each of the four suits.
If two players have four of a kind (and there is no higher hand), the player of the four of a kind with the highest numeric value wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8h, 8d, 8s, 8c (winner)
Player Two: 5h, 5d, 5s, 5c
Full House - is a combination of three of a kind (three cards with the same numeric value in three different suits) and one pair (two cards with the same numeric value in two different suits).
If two players have a full house (and there is no higher hand), the player of the full house with the highest ranking three of a kind wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: Ks, Kh, Kd, 2s, 2c (winner)
Player Two: Qh, Qd, Qc, Ad, Ah
Flush - Whenever you have a flush, it means you have five cards of the same suit (hearts, spades, clubs, or diamonds).
If two players have a flush (and there is no higher hand), the player of the flush with the highest ranking card wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: Kh, 10h, 5h, 3h, 2h (winner)
Player Two: Qd, 10d, 9d, 8d, 4d
Straight - all of your cards are in numerical sequence.
If two players have a straight (and there is no higher hand), the player of the straight with the highest ranking card wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 7h, 8h, 9d, 10s, Jh (winner)
Player Two: 2d, 3h, 4c, 5d, 6c
Three of a kind - means you have three cards with the same numeric value in three different suits.
If two players have three of a kind (and there is no higher hand), the player of the three of a kind with the highest numeric value wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 6d, 6h, 6c (winner)
Player Two: 4h, 4c, 4s
Two Pair - means you have two pairs of cards where is each "pair" consists of two cards of the same numeric value.
If two players have two pair (and there is no higher hand), the player with the highest ranking pair is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 2h, 2c (winner)
Player Two: 7h, 7d, 6c, 6s
If two players have two pair and matching high cards, the player with highest ranking second pair is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 7h, 7c (winner)
Player Two: 8s, 8d, 6c, 6s
If two players have two pair of identical pairs, the fifth card of the hand comes into play. If the fifth card is one of the community cards, the two players split the pot. If the fifth card is a pocket/hole card, the player with the highest ranking card wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 7h, 7c, 9h (winner)
Player Two: 8s, 8d, 7d, 7s, 3d
One Pair - means you have one pair of cards that consists of two cards of the same numeric value.
If two players have one pair (and there is no higher hand), the player with the highest ranking pair is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h (winner)
Player Two: 7h, 7d
If two players each have one pair of the same numeric value, the player with highest ranking card from their other three cards is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 7h, 6c, 3h (winner)
Player Two: 8s, 8d, 6c, 5s, 2h
If two players each have one pair of the same numeric value and matching high cards, the player with highest ranking card from their other two cards is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 7h, 6c, 3h (winner)
Player Two: 8s, 8d, 7c, 5s, 2h
If two players each have one pair of the same numeric value and two matching cards, the player with highest ranking card from their last card is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 7h, 6c, 3h (winner)
Player Two: 8s, 8d, 7c, 6s, 2h
If two players each have one pair of the same numeric value and three matching cards, the players split the pot.
High Card - is the highest ranking card in your hand when you can't make any of the above combinations. Not a strong betting position as even a wretched pair of twos can beat you.
Betting Options
Fold -you're pretty sure someone (or everyone) has a better hand than you do. You're not good at lying, so you can't "bluff" (make all the other players think you have a great hand) and so you decide to resign from the hand. If you had placed an earlier bet on this hand, you lose that money.
Check - After the first round (where you must bet a minimum amount), you may have the option to "check". If no other players have bet, you may "check" which means you don't want to bet or fold, so you let your turn pass without adding money to the pot. If a player that follows you does bet in the same round, you will be given the option to either match their bet or raise (and stay in the game) or fold (resign).
Call - A previous player has already placed a bet and you want to stay in the game, but with the minimum bet possible. The minimum bet is to match the bet of the previous player. For example, the previous player bet $20, you must bet $20.
Bet or Raise - In each round, you have the option to increase the amount of money in the pot. The first player to increase the amount of the pot places a bet. Subsequent players either call or raise. In any round, a raise is the first time a player bets more than all previous betters. If another player decides to bet even more, that is called a re-raise.
Before the first card is dealt, two mandatory bets (called the little blind and the big blind) are placed by the first two players to the left of the dealer. These bets ensure there is money in the pot to encourage play.
Once the blinds are in, the first cards are dealt. Starting one person to the left of the dealer (or "dealer button", see below for additional information), one card is dealt face down to each player. Then, proceeding in the same order, a second card is dealt face down to each player.
These two cards are called "pocket" or "hole" cards. You may view your cards at this stage, but care should be used to ensure that other players never see your pocket/hole cards.
After reviewing your cards, you place your bet. What type of bet you place is, in part, dependent on the betting structure you're using.
The dealer places three cards face up in the middle of the table (the "flop"). These three cards are the first of the "community cards" (see above) that are shared by all players. These cards remain on the table throughout the hand.
After reviewing the flop, you place your bet. What type of bet you place is, in part, dependent on the betting structure you're using.
The dealer places another card face up on the table. Placement of the fourth community card is called "the turn".
After reviewing the turn card, you place your bet. What type of bet you place is, in part, dependent on the betting structure you're using.
The dealer places the fifth and final community card face up on the table. Placement of this card is called "the river".
After reviewing the river card, you place your bet. What type of bet you place is, in part, dependent on the betting structure you're using.
Players who have not folded show their hands. The person who placed the first bet is the first to show and show continues to that person's left until all players have shown their cards.
Using the community cards (which remain on the table) and their pocket cards, each player announces their best possible hand. You may use one or both cards in your hand and 0 - 5 of the community cards.
When the best hand possible (for everyone) is made up of just "community cards" (no pocket/hole cards), then the pot is split by everyone still in the game (everyone who hasn't folded).
Hand Rankings
Royal Flush - (sometimes called the Royal Straight Flush) is the highest hand that can be dealt. It is also the rarest, so don't expect to see a lot of these. In fact, don't be surprised if you never see one.
In a Royal Flush, all five cards must be of the same suit, numerically sequenced, begin with the 10 card and end with the Ace.
Straight Flush - "flush" it means all of your cards are the same suit (hearts, spades, clubs, or diamonds).
Whenever you have a "straight" it means all of your cards are in numerical sequence.
In a straight flush, you have five cards of the same suit AND in numerical sequence.
If two players have a straight flush (and there is no higher hand), the player with the straight flush with the highest ranking card wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 3d, 4d, 5d, 6d, 7d (winner)
Player Two: 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s
Four of a kind - means you have four cards with the same numeric value in each of the four suits.
If two players have four of a kind (and there is no higher hand), the player of the four of a kind with the highest numeric value wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8h, 8d, 8s, 8c (winner)
Player Two: 5h, 5d, 5s, 5c
Full House - is a combination of three of a kind (three cards with the same numeric value in three different suits) and one pair (two cards with the same numeric value in two different suits).
If two players have a full house (and there is no higher hand), the player of the full house with the highest ranking three of a kind wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: Ks, Kh, Kd, 2s, 2c (winner)
Player Two: Qh, Qd, Qc, Ad, Ah
Flush - Whenever you have a flush, it means you have five cards of the same suit (hearts, spades, clubs, or diamonds).
If two players have a flush (and there is no higher hand), the player of the flush with the highest ranking card wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: Kh, 10h, 5h, 3h, 2h (winner)
Player Two: Qd, 10d, 9d, 8d, 4d
Straight - all of your cards are in numerical sequence.
If two players have a straight (and there is no higher hand), the player of the straight with the highest ranking card wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 7h, 8h, 9d, 10s, Jh (winner)
Player Two: 2d, 3h, 4c, 5d, 6c
Three of a kind - means you have three cards with the same numeric value in three different suits.
If two players have three of a kind (and there is no higher hand), the player of the three of a kind with the highest numeric value wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 6d, 6h, 6c (winner)
Player Two: 4h, 4c, 4s
Two Pair - means you have two pairs of cards where is each "pair" consists of two cards of the same numeric value.
If two players have two pair (and there is no higher hand), the player with the highest ranking pair is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 2h, 2c (winner)
Player Two: 7h, 7d, 6c, 6s
If two players have two pair and matching high cards, the player with highest ranking second pair is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 7h, 7c (winner)
Player Two: 8s, 8d, 6c, 6s
If two players have two pair of identical pairs, the fifth card of the hand comes into play. If the fifth card is one of the community cards, the two players split the pot. If the fifth card is a pocket/hole card, the player with the highest ranking card wins.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 7h, 7c, 9h (winner)
Player Two: 8s, 8d, 7d, 7s, 3d
One Pair - means you have one pair of cards that consists of two cards of the same numeric value.
If two players have one pair (and there is no higher hand), the player with the highest ranking pair is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h (winner)
Player Two: 7h, 7d
If two players each have one pair of the same numeric value, the player with highest ranking card from their other three cards is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 7h, 6c, 3h (winner)
Player Two: 8s, 8d, 6c, 5s, 2h
If two players each have one pair of the same numeric value and matching high cards, the player with highest ranking card from their other two cards is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 7h, 6c, 3h (winner)
Player Two: 8s, 8d, 7c, 5s, 2h
If two players each have one pair of the same numeric value and two matching cards, the player with highest ranking card from their last card is the winner.
For example, in the following two hands, Player One is the winner:
Player One: 8c, 8h, 7h, 6c, 3h (winner)
Player Two: 8s, 8d, 7c, 6s, 2h
If two players each have one pair of the same numeric value and three matching cards, the players split the pot.
High Card - is the highest ranking card in your hand when you can't make any of the above combinations. Not a strong betting position as even a wretched pair of twos can beat you.
Betting Options
Fold -you're pretty sure someone (or everyone) has a better hand than you do. You're not good at lying, so you can't "bluff" (make all the other players think you have a great hand) and so you decide to resign from the hand. If you had placed an earlier bet on this hand, you lose that money.
Check - After the first round (where you must bet a minimum amount), you may have the option to "check". If no other players have bet, you may "check" which means you don't want to bet or fold, so you let your turn pass without adding money to the pot. If a player that follows you does bet in the same round, you will be given the option to either match their bet or raise (and stay in the game) or fold (resign).
Call - A previous player has already placed a bet and you want to stay in the game, but with the minimum bet possible. The minimum bet is to match the bet of the previous player. For example, the previous player bet $20, you must bet $20.
Bet or Raise - In each round, you have the option to increase the amount of money in the pot. The first player to increase the amount of the pot places a bet. Subsequent players either call or raise. In any round, a raise is the first time a player bets more than all previous betters. If another player decides to bet even more, that is called a re-raise.