There are many variants of poker, all with similar principles.
The best place to start is with Texas Hold’em Poker, which is the most popular variant.
If you go to a casino or visit a poker room, you will definitely find Texas Hold’em Poker.
Basically, you will be dealt 2 cards, called Hole Cards.
There will also be 5 communal cards that will be dealt in each round.
The aim is for players to form the best 5-card hand using their cards and the communal cards.
Remember though, that the communal cards are for everyone.
Therefore, your best hand has to include one or both of your communal cards.
These values are usually fixed (unless otherwise stated).
Once the blinds have been put into the pot, all players will receive 2 cards face down.
They can then either Call, Fold or Raise.
Calling is when you meet the bet in the round.
You will not take part in the rest of the round.
Raising is when you Call the bet, and then add more money to the pot.
The other players must react to your raise either by Calling, Folding or they can even Raise again.
Once all the players have Called the biggest Raise (or Folded), the next stage can begin.
Once All players have met the top Raise, or Folded, the round continues.
The players can once again decide whether they want to Check, Raise, and then Call or Fold.
After the remaining players have Called the biggest Raise, they proceed to the River.
The dealer draws a final Communal Card, and then there is one final chance for players to Raise.
If they do, the others must Call or Fold.
The player with the strongest poker hand wins the pot.
There are also a few examples with which you’ve got the option to practice learning the hands.
The most popular stud poker variants are Five Card Stud and Seven Card Stud.
These are games in which players receive complete hands, which are faced down.
They must improve the hands they are dealt by replacing cards.
This variant of poker is not very common, but it is highly fun to play.
It usually involves tables of 2 up to 8 players, and the most common variant is Five-Card Draw.
This is the most common punch in of poker, in which Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hold’em fall into.
It involves players receiving hole cards, and they have to form hands using a number of communal cards.
Most Common Variants
This is the most widely played key in of poker.
At poker sites, the majority of the games and the biggest tournaments will most likely be Texas Hold’em.
This game is extremely similar to Texas Hold’em, only the players receive 4 hole cards instead of 2.
The rounds are held in the same way, and the players need to make 5-card poker hands.
This makes the game even more exciting and increases the possibility of players forming stronger hands.
Added Variations
Why should the variations stop there?
This opens up the game to a lot more aggressive and fast-paced action.
Typically, Omaha Hold’em games are played with a pot limit.
This is basically a limit as to how much a player can raise the pot by.
Generally, you want to form the best hand in poker, but not in these games.
In lowball variants, the player with the weakest hand wins the pot.
But you do not need to start playing every single variant out there.
Across all the different variants, there are some universal underlying principles.
Texas Hold’em is a great place to start as it is the most widely available.
It is not a bad step to watch the WSOP or similar poker tournaments.
Some online poker sites offer you a chance to watch game sessions.
As online poker differs enormously from live poker, it is well worth watching a few of these games.
Whenever you feel ready to, you could sit down and begin to play.
The blinds in these sessions can start as little as $0.01/$0.02 which is perfect for beginners.
Remember to play patiently, and build your confidence step by step.
Most importantly, play for fun and enjoy each game.