Poker Basics
“Poker” is a generic name that refers to numerous types of card games.
However, all types of poker game stick to constant basic rules. The vast
majority of poker is played by 2 to 10 players. Each player is dealt a
number (varying from game to game) of cards, from which they attempt to
achieve the best 5-card combination of cards, known as a hand. The term
“hand” is also used to refer to the various rounds of dealing and betting
relating to a single pot. Players either bet or fold (surrender their cards)
based on the strength of the cards held, compared with their estimation of
the cards held by other players. In all forms of poker, the goal is to win
the “pot” (all the chips bet on a single hand) by achieving the best
combination of 5 cards.
Game Types
There are many alternatives in poker, but most games fall into the following
groups:
1. “Community” games, which include a group of shared cards that are
available for all players to incorporate into their hand, e.g. Texas Hold
‘Em.
2. “Stud” games, in which players receive some face-down cards and the
remainder face-up, retaining all the cards dealt, e.g. 7 Card Stud.
3. “Draw” games, in which players may dispense with some their original
cards and “draw” an equivalent number of new cards. 5 Card Draw.
Rankings
Cards
Every card in a deck is marked by a letter / number that determines its
rank. The cards are ranked as follows, in descending order: Ace (A), King
(K), Queen (Q), Jack (J), 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, although an Ace may be
used as the low value card in the hand A, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Poker Hands
In the same fashion as each card has a rank, hands of cards have ranks.
These hand rankings determine the winner of a hand and are identical across
all forms of poker. They are, in descending order:
Royal Flush: The 5 highest ranking sequential cards of the same suit, i.e.
Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10.
Straight Flush: 5 sequential cards of the same suit Four of a Kind: 4 cards
of the same rank.
Full House: 3 cards of the same rank, plus 2 of another same rank,
regardless of suit.
Flush: Any 5 cards of the same suit.
Straight: 5 cards of sequential rank, regardless of suit.
Three of a Kind: 3 cards of the same rank, regardless of suit.
Two Pair: 2 pairs of cards of the same rank, regardless of suit.
One Pair: 2 of the same cards, regardless of suit.
High Card: When no player holds a pair or better, the highest card wins.
Kickers
When there is a tie between hands with identical cards, the “kicker” or the
highest ranking card that does not contribute to the hand is used to break
the tie. For example, A-A-A-Q-8 beats A-A-A-10-3 because the Queen is more
highly ranked than the 10.
Poker Betting
Blinds and Antes
Initial poker betting commences prior to any cards being dealt. The opening
bets are:
1. The “ante,” commonly used in stud and draw forms of poker. All players
must contribute a set amount to the pot.
2. “Blinds,” generally used in community games. The player immediately to
the left of the dealer posts the “small blind,” while the next player
contributes the “big blind,” which is double the amount of the small blind.
Once the cards are dealt, all players, including the one who posted the
small blind, must bet at least the big blind amount to stay in the hand.
Betting Options
Fold
Folding involves surrendering any cards held, along with any bets made into
the pot for that hand. However, folding should not be considered as losing,
since it is merely a way of conserving resources (chips) for better
investment opportunities. A player loses in poker when other player wins all
their money and appropriate folding drastically reduces the likelihood of
this unfortunate event. Conventional wisdom is that if a hand is not strong
enough to merit a raise, then the player should carefully consider folding
the hand.
Check
If no player has made a bet in a particular round, a player may choose to
check. Checking means that the player effectively bets nothing and play
passes to the next player. However, the checking player retains the option
of betting or raising later in the betting round. If all players checks in
the first round of draw game, it presents the opportunity of drawing new
cards without risking a further stake.
Call
Calling means betting the same amount as the preceding player. Assuming
other players have already bet, calling the previous bet is the minimum
requirement for remaining in the hand.
Raise
Raising simply betting more than the previous player’s wager.
Limits on the amount that can be bet or raised vary between different game
types and different variations of the same poker game.
Choosing the Right Game
Poker has many different games and play levels, with some games more
challenging than others and hence more difficult for the novice player to
realise a profit. However, in the final analysis, poker is a game based
predominantly on skill and more skilled players will always win against less
skilled players in the long-term. For this reason, it is crucial that
players starting out in the game of poker play at a table with a few players
with a marginally lower skill level. The advantage conferred often makes the
difference between returning a profit and a loss. Additionally, new players
often switch between various game types, table limits and so on, which is
often a recipe for disaster. A better approach is to concentrate on one type
of game at the same (preferably low) level. Focusing on games such as
low-limit, single-table Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments gives a novice player the
chance to study the game in detail, gain experience and improve their poker
strategy, without the risks associated with high stakes. Generally, even
major mistakes do not result in the erring player being eliminated from the
game in one hand. It is relatively easy to make money in such games with a
consistent, “common sense” approach to poker play. Once a player can finish
“in the money” regularly in such tournaments, they should consider
progressing to no limit cash games, for small stakes.
Common Beginners’ Errors
Playing too many Hands
Discovering the right hands to fold and the right hands to play is a vital
component to long-term success at poker. Most new players sit down at a
table, seemingly frantic to join the action and demonstrate their poker
skills to the other players. As a result, novices make a point of playing
“easily dominated” (easily beaten) starting hands, such as J-4. This is a
major weakness in any player’s game and will cost significantly more in the
long-term than the occasional poorly judged call / raise. Experts advise
that novices should play around 15% to 20% of the hands dealt, except if
seated at a particularly “loose” table, where several players play more
hands than average. In this case, the percentage of hand splayed can be
increased. As a rule, 15% is about the right number of hands to play.
However, at a “short handed” table with few players or in the latter stages
of a tournament, beginners may increase the number of hands played.
Overestimating a Hand
New players often over value suited cards. Playing 10 / 4 suited is not a
good idea. Just because you could hit a flush draw does not mean you will.
The actual odds of making a flush draw pre-flop are around 12%. Now bear in
mind that even if you do hit the flush, your 10 high flush is vulnerable to
being beaten by a Jack, Queen, King or Ace high flush.
Regular Bluffing
Poker is at its most exhilarating when an outrageous, “disgraceful” bluff
collects a large pot with the worst hand. Unfortunately, many novice players
bluff far too often and subsequently flounder as a result. Bluffing is not a
particularly profitable exercise, especially in online games, where poor
players will frequently call the bluff. Profitable bluffing openings rarely
occur. The best times to bluff are during short handed games against tight
players, who tend to play only when holding a strong hand. Using the bluff
tactic less frequently will mean that it is more effective when really
required.
