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How to Play Poker
There are quite a few variations of poker these days, some more popular than others, but each favorable in their own unique ways. In this article, we will offer a basic introduction to the most popular types of poker games, and the various betting structures they are played in.
Types of Limits in Poker
There are three basic limits, or betting structures, used in the different types of poker games.
Fixed Limit Poker
Fixed Limit refers to the betting restrictions imposed by the stakes of a poker game. For example, if a poker game has stakes of $2/$4, all bets/raises must be placed equal to the low-end or high-end stakes. The actual amount varies by the particular betting round. In Texas Hold em, for instance, there are 4 betting rounds, Pre-Flop, Flop, Turn and River. For the first two betting rounds, all bets/raises must be equal to the low-end stakes of $2. The last two betting rounds increase bets/raises to meet the high-end stakes of $4. Players cannot bet more or less than the Fixed Limit betting structure.
No Limit Poker
No Limit poker is the most popular form of the game, as it imposes no limits on the amount a payer can bet or raise. The only limit is the amount of one’s own bankroll. Stakes are still used in a No Limit poker game, but these refer only to the minimum bet and the Small/Big Blind. For example, in a $2/$4 game, the Small Blind would be $2 and the Big Blind $4. The minimum bet/raise would be $4.
Pot Limit Poker
Pot Limit is like a mix of Fixed Limit and No Limit. The stakes refer to the minimum bet/raise, Small Blind and Big Blind just like a No Limit poker game, but the maximum bet is only limited by the size of the pot. This means a player can wager up to as much as the pot holds. For example, if the pot has $5 in it, the player may wager up to $5. Let’s assume the player does bet $5; the pot now holds $10. The next bettor may wager up to $10, and so on…
Types of Poker Games and Variations
While there are plenty of poker variations out there, we will be covering the most popular types of poker games - Texas Hold em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Low, 7 Card Stud, 7 Card Stud Hi/Low, Razz and H.O.R.S.E.
Texas Hold’em
By far the most popular type of poker game, Texas Hold em is played with 2-10 players and a single deck of 52 cards. Texas Holdem gives each player 7 cards total throughout the hand – 2 Hole Cards and 5 Community Cards. Hole Cards are dealt to the player face-down to be used only in the player’s own hand. Community Cards are dealt face-up to the center of the table, for each player to assume as part of their own hand. By combining these 7 cards, each player tries to make the best (highest ranking) 5-card poker hand. The highest ranking poker hand wins the pot.
Click here for a complete guide on How To Play Texas Hold em
Omaha Poker
Omaha is based on the same premise as Texas Hold em, but with a few distinct differences in the rules. Instead of 2 Hole Cards, each player is dealt 4 Hole Cards. Using these 4 Hole Cards and the 5 Community Cards, players try to develop the highest ranking 5-card poker hand. But there’s a catch (there’s always a catch!) Players must use EXACTLY 2 Hole Cards and EXACTLY 3 Community Cards to develop their hand. Highest ranking poker hand wins the pot.
Click here for a complete guide on How To Play Omaha Poker
Omaha Hi Lo Poker (8 or Better)
Played the same as Omaha, except that each player is trying to create two hands – the highest ranking and the lowest. The Omaha Hi hand is played exactly the same way as Omaha (see Omaha above), with the winner taking half of the pot. The Omaha Low hand must “Qualify” in order to win. A qualifying low hand contains no card higher than an 8 and no pairs (or better). Aces are counted as the lowest card in a low hand, and Straights or Flushes aren’t considered combinations. The lowest possible hand is A-2-3-4-5, highest possible qualifying low hand is 4-5-6-7-8. The lowest qualifying low hand is awarded the other half of the pot. Should no player qualify for a low hand, the high-hand winner takes the entire pot. Note that it is possible for the same player to win both the high and low hand.
Click here for a complete guide on How To Play Omaha Hi
7 Card Stud
7 Card Stud is another very popular type of poker game, using forced ante bets and a bring-in bet in place of blind bets. Each player is dealt 7 cards through the duration of a 7 Card Stud hand. The first two cards are face-down, the next four face-up, and the last face-down. Using these 7 cards, a player must develop the highest ranking 5-card poker hand possible. At the end of the hand, the highest ranking poker hand wins the entire pot.
Click here for a complete guide on How To Play Stud
7 Card Stud Hi Low (8 or Better)
7 Card Stud Hi Low is played the same as 7 Card Stud, but the pot is split between the player with the highest ranking poker hand, and the player with the lowest “Qualifying” poker hand. The 7 Card Stud Hi hand follows the same rules as 7 Card Stud (see 7 Card Stud above), awarding half of the pot to the winner. Each player then tries to create the lowest possible hand. In order to qualify as a winning low hand, it must contain no card higher than an 8 and no pairs or better. Aces are considered the lowest card in a low hand, and Straights or Flushes aren’t considered combinations. The best possible low hand is A-2-3-4-5; worst qualifying low hand 4-5-6-7-8. The low hand winner takes the other half of the pot. Should no hand qualify to win the low hand, the high hand winner takes the entire pot. Note that it is possible for the same player to win both pots.
Click here for a complete guide on How To Play Stud Hi Low
Razz Poker
Razz might as well be called “7 Card Stud Low”, because that is what you are essentially playing. Following the same rules as a 7 Card Stud Low Hand (see 7 Card Stud Hi/Low (8 or Better) above, players try to develop the worst possible 5-card poker hand from the 7 cards they are dealt. The only difference between Razz and the 7 Card Stud Low hand is that players do not need to “Qualify” to win the hand (8 or Better rules do not apply). Even if the worst hand is Trips, the player wins the entire pot.
Click here for a complete guide to How To Play Razz
H.O.R.S.E. Poker
One of the most interesting ways to play poker, H.O.R.S.E. is a mixed game where players can participate in several types of poker games at one table. Each letter in the name H.O.R.S.E. represents a different poker game. Each time the blind levels increase, players move on to the next poker game.
- H = Texas Hold’em
- O = Omaha
- R = Razz
- S = 7 Card Stud
- E = Omaha Hi/Low (8 or Better)
Click here for a complete guide on How To Play HORSE Poker
