At an online casino, there are many games to play and choose from such as online slots, bingo and even roulette. There are also many perks an online casino will offer such as free spins or welcome bonuses. One of the most popular games to play online is poker. However if youre not familiar with the game it may get a little confusing so weve put together a guide on how to play traditional poker!
Remember you need to be 18+ to gamble within the UK and please feel free to visit BeGambleAware.org for more information on how to gamble safely.
Get To Know Your Hands
A hand is a set of five cards that pertain to a certain set of rankings.
- Royal Flush: One of the most famous and unbeatable hands consists of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack and a Ten of one suit.
- Straight Flush: This hand is sequence of numbers in the same suit. If theres ever two straight flushes, the one with the highest ascending card in the sequence wins.
- Four of a Kind: This hand includes four cards of the same number/rank with an extra card known as a kicker. If theres a tie, the one with the highest kicker wins!
- Full House: This is three cards of the same number/rank and two other cards of the same number/rank. If theres a tie the one with the higher ranking of three cards wins.
- Flush: This one is easier to remember. Five cards of the same suit, no sequence needed. In the event of a tie, the one with the highest-ranking card wins.
- Straight: This is when cards that are not of the same suit are in a sequence. If theres a tie, the highest-ranking card holder wins.
- Three of a Kind: Similar to a hand weve seen before, three cards are of the same rank, with two kicker cards that are not the same. If theres a tie, the player with the highest-ranking side card (and/or second kicker card) wins.
- Two Pair: This hand includes two pairs each of matching ranks/numbers. The suit does not have to match. There is also a kicker card. In the event of a tie, the player with the higher kicker card wins.
- Pair: Similar to the above hand, this has one pair of matching rank cards. If theres a tie, the player with the highest kicker card (and/or second and/or third highest kicker card) wins.
- High Card: This is for any hand that isnt listed above. This hand has no pairs, straight or flush.
Dealing the Cards
After the cards have been dealt, the game is played clockwise on the table. Each player can do the following moves on their go:
Check: Player can decline to place a bet, but this can only be done when there is no bet during the current round. If all players check, then the round is completed.
Bet: Players can bet if no other player has made a bet. Once a player has made a bet, then the other players must call.
Call: This is when players match the highest bet made in the round.
Fold: Players can withdraw from a round when they fold so they cannot win or play during the round.
Raise: If a player has made a bet during a round, another player may place a higher bet. After the raise, other players can match that raise or place another higher bet.
How To Play
Texas Hold Em has a structure of four rounds known as the Pre-Flop, Flop, The Turn, and the River.
- The first part of the game is called Pre-Flop. The player on the left of the dealer will put in a small blind and then the player after that will add in the big blind. Then the cards are dealt by the dealer. The player left of the dealer have no limit to how much they can bet.
- Secondly, all players get dealt two cards starting from the small blind position. At this point, players can either fold, call or raise the stakes. The player in the small blind position will always start the round.
- Then next part of the game is called the Flop. This is when the five community cards are dealt on the table. After the third community card is dealt, players can place their bets. This is called the Turn. Players use their two cards and the community cards to make any of the hands mentioned above.
- Players then place another bet on the fourth round known as the River.
- During the last round, final bets or raises are called. In this round, players can show their cards if they think they have a winning hand and the player with the best ranking hand will be the winner.
- Players that dont have a hand that will beat cards already shown can leave them unturned and pass it to the dealer.
Poker Positions on a Table
There are some advantages to certain poker seats, and disadvantages to other seats. However, poker positions on a table will change according to where the positions of The Button and Blinds are.
- Seat 1: Big Blind (BB)
- Seat 2: Small Blind (SB)
- Seat 3: The Button (BTN)
- Seat 4: The Cutoff (CO)
- Seat 5: The Hijack (HJ)
- Seat 6: The Lojack (LJ)
- Seat 7: Early Position (EP)
- Seat 8: Under the Gun +1
- Seat 9: Under the Gun
Types of Betting Limits
There are three main types of betting limits for Texas Hold Em:
Fixed Players can call or raise a bet but only by a fixed amount. This amount is set before the game is played.
No Limit Well it is in the name. Players can bet or raise the stakes however much they like up to their full stack of chips.
Pot Players can bet or raise their stakes up to the limit of the pot. The total of the pot will be decided in advance.
Ready To Play?
Now that you have the basic rules of Texas Hold Em in place, you could probably take that and learn how to play online poker just as easily! If youre still not ready, then you can always do some more research!
Disclaimer:
- As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
- Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976
- Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
- Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
- Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
- This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or any of its staff.