Poker Rules - A little learning is a dangerous thing

So far we discussed a lot on poker rules for different variants. Let us now discuss a bit more on general poker rules as they say “A little learning is a dangerous thing”. Many poker beginners feel the rules of poker are so easy that they could become professional poker players overnight. But, in practical life things appear to be completely opposite to it. I do agree that learning the basics of poker rules is very easy but mastering it remains as a big dream for most of the poker players.

I would like to suggest few tips to understand the poker rules in a much better way. Firstly, go for online poker websites where you can find all the basic rules to play any format of poker. The rules may vary from room to room. So, better stick to one room in the beginning so as to avoid confusion. Also, play free roll poker tournaments that are available online. This helps to learn the Do’s and Don’ts of the poker game.

Poker rules – Omaha Poker Betting Rules

Poker rules are there not only for the variant of poker game but also for betting structures. We are here to discuss the poker rules on betting structure for world’s second most popular game so called Omaha poker.

Betting structures for most of the popular poker variants are of three types. They are

1. Limit

2. Pot-Limit and

3. No-Limit

Omaha poker is played with two standard betting structures. They are

• Fixed-Limit

• Pot-Limit

Omaha is not played with No-Limit betting structure for many reasons. While playing pot-limit Omaha the maximum amount that you can raise is the pot amount. The maximum amount is evaluated by adding up the pot, your call and the bet. Add your call to the total amount. So, this is the maximum amount you can bet. In fixed limit game the betting limit depends on your bet-size. For example $8/$16 game where $16 is the big bet and $8 is the small bet.

7 Card Stud Hi-Lo Rules

Poker rules for the game Stud Hi-Lo are much similar to the standard 7 card stud game poker rules. Here the pot is split between two players who win the best hand. The players who make the best combination of highest and the lowest hands share the pot.

The High

The highest combination rules for winning the 7 card stud Hi-Lo game is similar to that of standard 7 card stud game. The player who holds this pot wins half of the pot.

The Low

There are few conditions to satisfy to be eligible winning with lowest hands. If these conditions are satisfied then this player will be winning the low half of the pot.

• To make a low hand the player can use any of his five hole cards irrespective of using them in making a high hand. High hand combination will have no affect in making a low hand.

• All hands that rank at eight or below eight can be used in making a low hand.

• Royal flush and straight will have no ranking while making a low hand.

Tournament Poker Rules

Abiding by the rules and laws is very important while playing poker tournaments. Playing tournaments and not following the poker rules is an unlawful act. Rules vary for online and land based casinos. Those who violate the poker rules would be banned from poker rooms for certain duration and will be penalized.

Online poker rules differ from room to room. So, better log on to your favorite poker room and understand all the rules of it. While playing poker tournaments make sure that you follow the rules relating to initial seating. If you want to choose better seating position better enter a little before the scheduled time because most of the poker rooms follow the first come first serve principle. Changing your position is not allowed once the game begins. Rules also depend on format of the poker tournament. If the table is playing Sit N Go poker tournament there the rules are a bit different as this is not a scheduled play.

Razz Poker Rules

Razz poker rules are much similar to seven card stud high poker rules with a very few basic differences. The Razz poker is one of the most important poker variants that are gaining popularity. Many players are not aware of this format of poker games. A razz poker rule says that a player with lowest hand combination wins the pot. So, Combination like royal flush and straight have no ranking in this game. The best combination that one can make in this format is 5-4-3-2-A.

The other rules of razz poker are as follows:
1. High card is supposed to contribute in forced bet of the round.
2. Low Hands acts first, for all the remaining rounds.
3. In fixed limit games the lower limit on fourth and Third Street is used and subsequent streets for the upper limit are used. Also an open pair will have no affect on the limit.
4. Dealer announces the occurrence of all pairs for the first time.

Basic Poker Rules

If you are a beginner and want to learn the basic rules of poker then you have come to the right place. The popularity of the poker game is increasing at a tremendous pace. It’s a basic requirement that one has to try and understand the fundamental rules of poker before actually putting their money into gambling.

Poker is purely a card game that is played using a standard deck of 52 play cards. Wild cards, Jokers and decks are used depending on the variant of the game though. The standard rule of card ranking is followed for all the formats of the poker game.

Dealing of cards is the basic poker rule and the number of cards that are dealt depends on the variant of the game. Also the winner is decided in the same fashion for all the poker games. The player with the best hand combination wins the pot.

Stud Poker Rules

Stud poker rules are bit different when compared to the games like Texas Hold em poker and Omaha poker. Stud poker has many variants like seven card stud poker, 5 card stud poker etc. the basic rules of stud poker begins with dealing of cards. Each player is dealt with a mix of face-up and face-down cards. These cards are dealt in steps of multiple betting rounds. Stud poker rules don’t depend on seating positions as the players who bet first may change for each round.

The cards that are dealt face-down are called hole cards. For each betting round the players are dealt with one card each ( face up). Last card is dealt face down and the winner is decided by the highest and the lowest hand combination. The pot is split between the two winners namely the players with the highest and the lowest hands. There are many poker sites that offer to play stud poker online.

Omaha Poker Rules

Omaha Poker rules are almost similar to that of Texas Hold em poker. So, it’s very easy to understand the rules of Omaha poker if you already played Texas Hold em. In Omaha poker each player is dealt with four hole cards instead of two. And the number of community cards and rules corresponding to them are exactly similar to that of texas hold em.

The Flop, turn and the river are played in similar fashion to that of Texas holdem. The player has to make a combination of five hands by making use of exactly three from community cards and two from hand cards. And the one with best hand wins the game.

There are many sub variants in Omaha poker. Pot Limit Omaha poker, Omaha Hi-Lo poker are the popular variants of Omaha poker. There are many online poker sites that offer to learn Omaha poker rules by providing free games for practice.

Texas Holdem Poker Rules

Texas Hold em poker rules are the most important to learn to be called as a poker player. If you are playing poker without even knowing the basic rules of texas hold em then you must be playing a blind-Freddy.

Basic rules of Texas Hold em starts with the dealer button who deals the hole cards to the remaining players on the table. This position changes for each round in clockwise direction. The two players sitting to the immediate left of dealer are called small blind and big blind respectively. Once each player is dealt with two cards the first round of the game begins. The player sitting to the left of big blind has to begin the game. He can call, raise or fold. This round continues in the clockwise direction. After the successful completion of first round comes the round of "Flop" where three community cards are placed face up on the table. This round is followed by the “turn” and the “river” round where one community card is placed is each round. So, the player has to make a combination of five hands by making use both community and hole cards. And the one with highest hands wins the pot.

Poker Rules for Beginners

A poker rule helps beginners understand the basics of the game. Internet has made learning poker rules so easy that understanding the game of poker and its rules is just a piece of cake even for the beginners. Poker rules vary depending on the variant of the poker game. The fundamental rules remain the same for all the formats of the poker game.

Most popular poker games of poker are limit and no limit Texas Hold em, pot limit Omaha poker etc. Both the games have few rules in common. In both the games one with highest combination of hands wins the pot. The cards are dealt initially which are called hole cards to each player on the table. Players have to make a highest possible combination of cards using both community cards and hole cards to win a poker game. Poker rules like rake rules will vary for different poker rooms.