Poker is an easy-to-learn game that can be played online or live (at home, in a club or at a non GamStop casino, for example). To play poker, you must first learn the rules of the game. Then you can focus on the strategy and tactics that allow you to win more often. There are many variations of poker at non GamStop casinos. The best known and the most practised throughout the world is Texas Hold’em No Limit poker. Concretely, this variant, which is often simply called poker, is played with a deck of 52 cards (preferably plastic) and chips. A game of poker is made up of a multitude of moves. In this article, I will explain to you very simply what the principles of the game are and how to play this exciting game. I will give you strategy tips and tactics to win more often.
Poker Rules at Non GamStop Casinos
To avoid mistakes as much as possible and get as many wins as possible, it is important to adopt good game methods. The game is not limited to knowledge of the rules of poker or how to play, because it also involves psychology, calculation, common sense, reflection, observation, logic, concentration, self-control, etc. However, the rules of the game are the first element to know in order to hope to win.
Poker is a nice way to spend time with friends, but this game also allows you to learn a little more about yourself, about others and about situations. To win a game of poker, having a good starting hand is not always enough. You will also have to learn not to show your emotions and even sometimes to fake attitudes. But first, let’s take a look at the main regulatory aspects of the game.
Indeed, there are two ways to win a hand: either you get a better hand than your opponents or you resort to bluffing to make them believe that you have a better hand. It may happen that at the end of a move (round), there is a single person who pockets the amount of the pot or several winners who share the winnings equally.
Poker Equipment
To play poker with friends, you need a deck of 52 cards (preferably plastic), chips (marked with values for more playing comfort) with different values and at least two players. The ideal would be to opt for plastic cards because they can twist without being bent and are more resistant than those made of cardboard. In addition, they are more flexible and more slippery (which is very practical when distributing them). The names of the high cards in a poker game are always in English. Thus, the king is a King (K), the queen is a Queen (Q), the jack is a jack (J), and the 10 is sometimes called Ten (T).
Regarding the number of participants, it depends on the game format you choose. Thus, two, you play head-up (head-to-head). If your game brings together 3 to 6 opponents, you play short-handed, and between 7 and 10 opponents, we talk about a full ring. If there are more than 10 participants, then other tables must be opened.
The 10 Combinations
There are ten combinations which are called hands. After the various betting rounds, it is the value of the hand you have that will determine whether you win the bet or not. Know that a combination always consists of 5 cards in Texas Hold’em poker. If a combination is made up of less than five cards, it is then completed by the highest card available (Example: square of queens + an Ace. Which is 4 (queens) + 1 (Ace) = 5 cards). Remember that the more powerful a hand is, the rarer it is to have it. Here are the 10 poker hands, from strongest to weakest:
Royal Flush
This hand is simply unbeatable. It consists of an Ace, a King, a Queen, a Jack and a ten. These cards must all have the same colour (spades, hearts, clubs or diamonds). When we talk about colour, we must understand symbols (spade, heart, club or diamond).
Straight Flush
It consists of five successive cards of the same colour (4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of hearts for example). If two opponents present this hand, it is the highest card of the whole suite that wins.
Four of a Kind
This hand has four identical cards (in terms of value), and a last different one called a “kicker” (another highest card). We speak of identical cards when they have the same value (like the 4 Aces, for example). In case of equality of several participants, it is the kicker that wins the shot to its holder.
Full House
Full House consists of three identical cards and two identical ones. In the event of a tie in a move, the winner is the one with the 3 strongest cards, then the 2 others.
Flush
It is an assembly of five cards having the same colour and of which at least one does not follow the other steps. Here too, the highest card wins if there is a tie.
Straight
The suite is made up of five successive cards, one of which has at least a different colour from the others. Win is ensured by the value of the highest card. Note that here the Ace can be the highest card (Ace, K, Q, J, T) or the lowest (5, 4, 3, 2, Ace).
Three of a Kind
It is a set of three cards of identical value and 2 others of different value. For example, you can have 3 kings. If there is a tie, the single card or kicker with the highest value wins. In the case of equality of the kicker, it is the value of the second kicker which counts.
Double Pair
This grouping is obtained with 2 different pairs. For example, a double of two and a double of ten (with an Ace, as a kicker, for example). The different card constitutes the kicker, the value of which will designate the winner in the event of a tie.
Peer
It is made up of two identical cards and three different ones. It is the values of one or other of these different cards that designate the winner in the event of a tie between two same pairs.
High Card
We call “high card”, any assembly different from all the aforementioned associations. He is a winner when he has an Ace and possibly the best kicker. Here again, the kicker often makes it possible to make the difference in the event of a tie.
The Order of the Cards
The hierarchy is established according to their value. Here is the order, from largest to smallest: A (Ace), K (King for King), Q (Queen for Queen), J (Jack for Jack), T or 10 (for Ten = number 10), 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.