Poker

The Deck

Poker is played with a deck of 52 cards, divided in 4 groups (or suits) of thirteen cards each. Every
suit has the same value as each other, none is more important than the others.

The 4 suits are: DIAMONDS, HEARTS, SPADES AND CLUBS.

In Poker, the ACE is the highest card, and the TWO is the lowest. In spite of that, as in many other
games, the ACE can be used as the lowest card in order to make a STRAIGHT. For example: FIVE-
FOUR-THREE-TWO-ACE (5-4-3-2-A)

The KING follows the ACE. It is represented by beardy men and the letter K

The next card is the QUEEN. It is represented by veiled ladies and the letter Q

The next card is the JACK, represented by young men and the letter J

The remaining cards have a decreasing value based on their number, being TEN the highest and
TWO the lowest.

The Poker Hands

In Poker, the idea is to get the best combination of cards (HAND) in all the table. In order to know
who has the best hand, the next order is used:

Straight Flush

It consists of having 5 cards with the same suit and in numerical order. Among all the possible
combinations, the one with the highest numbers wins. they are usually named after the highest
card. For example, if you have KING-QUEEN-JACK-TEN-NINE (K-Q-J-10-9), all with the same suit,
you have a "KING-HIGH STRAIGHT FLUSH". The highest hand in poker is called ROYAL FLUSH
or "ACE-HIGH STRAIGHT FLUSH" and it consists of ACE-KING-QUEEN-JACK-TEN (A-K-Q-J-10)

4 of a Kind

It consists of having 4 cards with the same number. Between two of these, the one with the highest
card wins. If two people have the same 4 OF A KIND, which is possible in many Poker variantions,
the one with the highest 5th card wins (The Kicker)

Full House

It is a combination of a THREE OF A KIND and a PAIR. The FULL with the highest THREE OF A
KIND wins. In case of a draw, the player with the highest PAIR wins.
FULL's are named firstly by the THREE OF A KIND, and secondly by the PAIR. For example,
QUEEN-QUEEN-QUEEN-FOUR-FOUR (Q-Q-Q-4-4) is called "QUEENs FULL OF FOURs". FULL's
are also called "THE BOAT"
Flush

It consists of 5 cards of the same suit. In case of a draw, the player with the highest card wins. If
more than one player have the same highest card card, the second highest card is used and so on.
As with the STRAIGHT, it is named after the highest card. For example: JACK-EIGHT-FIVE-
THREE-TWO (J-8-5-3-2) all of the same suit, is called JACK-FLUSH

Straight

It consists of five cards in numerical order, regardless of the suit. It follows the same structure
explained in the STRAIGHT FLUSH

3 of a Kind

It consists of 3 cards with the same number. In case of a draw, the highest card which does not
belong to the THREE OF A KIND is used (KICKER). Also known as TRIPS

Two Pairs

The highest PAIR wins. In case of a draw, the lower pairs are used. If the draw persists, the player
with the highest 5th card wins (KICKER). They are named after the highest pair and it is
shorthanded as it being "up" or "over" the second pair. For example: ACE-ACE-SIX-SIX-KING (A-A-
6-6-K) is named TWO PAIRS, ACEs OVER SIXs and the KING is the KICKER.

One Pair

Two cards with the same number, the highest pair wins. In case of a draw, the KICKER is used. If
the draw persists, the 2nd highest card is used and so on.

High Card

If none of the combinations have been achieved, the player with the highest card wins. In case of a
draw, the second highest card is checked and so on.

The Texas Hold´em

Let's see how a hand of Texas Hold'em is played:

1.- Hole Cards

Each player gets 2 cards to begin the round. Once every player has their cards, the first round of
bets is placed. These will be the only exclusive cards to each player.

2.- The Flop

3 cards are laid face-up on the table. These cards can be used by all the players. Then, the second
round of bets are placed

3.- The Turn

4.- The River

The next card in the set is also discarded and a 5th card is laid face-up on the table. The die is cast
and the last round of bets is placed.

Every player must pick 5 out of the 7 cards (the 2 exclusive cards plus 5 cards from the table) in
order to make their hand. The player with the best hand wins.

The Bets

Poker is not just a game about cards. Cards are just an excuse for a deeper, harder and more
interesting game. Poker is a game about wagers.

If you have a KING-HIGH STRAIGHT FLUSH, you might lose against a player with a PAIR,
provided this player can make you believe, with his wager, that he has an ACE-HIGH STRAIGHT
FLUSH. This scenario is very unlikely, but far from impossible. Posibility is always there and
chances can be as high as your fear to lose all your money.

Let's see how the bet system works. Before we get started, let's make some things clear about how
Poker is played:

 You can fold (quit) at any time, losing only the bets you have placed up to that point, unless
of course you have not placed any bet whatsoever. You can even fold before any bets are
placed, unless the rules say otherwise.

 The first bet is placed by the player next to the one who dealt the cards. If there was a
DEALER, a chip is used to mark the player who has to place the first bet. This position
shifts, so that the first bet is always placed by a different player.

 A round of bets finishes when all players have either folded or called (matched the highest
bet). If all players but one have folded, the game ends and the remaining player is the
winer.

 Bets are placed by all the player and all the money goes to the same pot. The winner or
winners receive the whole pot.

Now let's get a closer look at the betting system:

If you are the first player to place a bet, or no one has placed a bet before, you
can:

Bet

You can place a bet or simply fold. Depending on the variation there might be a limit for the opening
bet, both a maximum and a minimum amount. In Texas Hold'em the 2 first players must place a bet,
they can't fold nor check.

Once the first bet is placed, the rest of the players can call (place a bet equal to the current one) or
fold.

Check

You can choose not to bet just yet, and still take part in the round. If no one bets, the game goes on
with no extra money in the pot. If someone bets, you must either call or fold. Usually people
indicate they want to check by slightly hitting the table with a finger.

If a bet has been placed once it is your turn, you can:

Fold

No money is added to the pot and you quit the round. Any bets placed up to that point will be lost.

Call

You place in the pot as much money as each one has placed up to that point. Unless someone
rises the bet, the round continues and the next card is laid on the table (if there are no cards left, the
hand is finished).

Raise

You can place a bet higher than the current one. The other players must either bet the same
amount of money you did (call), fold or rise again.

Showdown

If all the round of bets have finished and there is more than one player still standing, they must
show their cards. The one with the best hand winds the pot. In case of a draw, the pot is split
equally. If you play in a Casino, the house usually gets a cut (rake) of the pot.

If at any point there is only one player still standing, that player is the winner and he doesn't need to
show his cards to the rest of the players.

Betting strategy

There are some common tactics when it comes down to placing a bet, such as:

Reraise

Someone has raised the bet, but you are confident you have a strong hand and you wish to make
your opponent pay to stay in the game (he must think you have a strong hand, since you raised the
bet). So you not only call, but raise the bet again. In some games there is a limit to these raises,
sometimes only 4 raises per player are alowed, or the pot has a maximum value, or the player's bet
has a maximum value.

Check-Raise

You have a strong hand and you feel greedy. You wish to win more than a simple wager, so you
check and let everybody else place their bets. Then, you raise the bet. Now everybody has to fold
or call and if your hand is good enough, you will have won one bet to the ones who folded, and two
to the ones who called and lost. Check-raise is a useful tool but it is also a double-edged sword.
Anyone can check and leave the rest of the players wondering, or simply check and then fold. It is
possible that he has a strong hand and when you raise, he raises again... and so on.

Check-Call

You have a decent hand, but not a great one. You think there is a possibility of losing so you do not
want to raise the bet. Thus, you check and then you simply call.

Betting is not easy, there are lots of things to be considered and there are lots of things to learn, if
you trully want to become a great Poker player.
…and most importantly, above everything else, always remember to wear your Poker Face.