General Rules of Poker
There are two types of poker, Stud Poker and Draw Poker.
Stud Poker
Each player starts with five cards (or seven for some games). The chips then wagered according to the relative strength of the cards. The player who bids the most chips wins unless somebody matches the bet. If so, the remaining players will show their cards. The best hand will win all the chips.
Draw Poker
Each player starts with five cards continue with a round of betting. The remaining players can trade a maximum of three cards from the deck. If a player has an Ace, he may trade all four of his other cards.
Betting
Starting to the left of the dealer, each player has four options:
- Raise — Increase the wager for a player who thinks he can win the game (or who wants the other players to think he can).
- Fold — Lay down the cards for a player who is unsure of his cards and does not want to wager the increased amount. He will not lose any more chips but also will not win the game.
- Call — To equal the amount wagered by the player who raised the stakes.
- Check —To check, or pass his option to bet if no one has increased the wager.
The ranking of cards determines the win when two players have the same hand. Value of the cards goes down from The Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
The Ranking Of Hands In Ascending Value:
- High card. With no combination in player’s hand, a player’s hand is valued at the highest single card. If two players have the same high card, then the second-highest card would determine the winner.
Example: 3♣ 7♦ 5♠ K♥ A♠ - One Pair. A Pair is when there are two of any of the same cards.
Example: 4♠ 4♦ 6♣ 9♣ K♥ - Two Pairs. When more than one player has Two Pairs, the player with the highest Pair wins.
Example: 10♠ 10♦ 6♣ 6♥ 2♥
- Three of a Kind.
Example: 3♠ 3♦ 3♥ 7♣ 5♣ - Straight. A Straight consist of five consecutive cards, regardless of suit. When two players have Straights, the Straight with the higher card wins.
Example: 9♠ 10♠ J♦ Q♥ K♦ - Flush. Flush is when all five cards are of the same suit. If two players have a Flush, the person with the highest card in that suit wins.
Example: 3♠ 2♠ 7♠ 8♠ 9♠ - Full House. Full House is when there are three-of-a-kind and a pair in the same hand.
Example: 3♠ 3♦ 3♥ 6♣ 6♥
- Four of a Kind.
Example: 4♠ 4♦ 4♥ 4♣ 2♣ - Straight Flush. A Straight Flush is made up of five consecutive cards, all from the same suit.
Example: 9♠ 10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠
- Royal Flush. Royal Flush is a Straight Flush that ends with the Ace.
Example: 10♥ J♥ Q♥ K♥ A♥
The ranking of suits in descending order is spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs. Suits are used only in stud, only to break a tie between cards of the same rank (no redeal or redraw).
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