Poker Basics

Let's start with some fundamentals. Below are the different types of poker hands you can typically have. These are ordered from highest payout (rarest) to lowest payout (most common):

Royal Flush -
A, K, Q, J, 10 all of the same suit.

Straight Flush -
Any five card sequence in the same suit. (Ex: 8, 9, 10, J, Q and A, 2, 3, 4, 5 of same suit).

Four of a Kind -
All four cards of the same index (Ex: K, K, K, K).

Full House -
Three of a kind combined with a pair (Ex: A, A, A, 5, 5).

Flush -
Any five cards of the same suit, but not in sequence.

Straight -
Five cards in sequence, but not in the same suit.

Three of a Kind -
Three cards of the same index.

Two Pair -
Two separate pairs (Ex: 4, 4, Q, Q).

Pair -
Two cards of the same index.

If wild cards are present in the game, two additional hand types are possible:
Wild Royal Flush -
A Royal Flush with at least one of the cards a wild card.
Five of a Kind -
Five cards of the same index (Ex: 3, 3, 3, 3, WILD).

Now we are going to describe some of the common poker games out there.

Texas Hold 'em

This format is the most popular on the internet and on television today. We have dedicated an entire page to the topic. Click Here.

Omaha Poker

Omaha is another popular poker card game online. For those who have never played Omaha, it bears a striking resemblance to Texas Hold 'em. Players are dealt hole cards, four of them. You may only use two when putting together your hand, so if you see four aces in your hand, it's a bittersweet moment.

Besides the hole cards, there are five community cards placed on the table. You must use three of the community cards to finish your hand. Just remember, "Two from the hole, three from the flop. Two from the hole, three from the flop."

Omaha is basically Hold 'em with more cards to choose from when putting together your hand. These extra cards mean that putting together a trong hand is easier. More strong hands, more times you can stay in until the end. I think that makes the poker game more exciting.

Omaha Hi-Low Poker

Omaha Hi/Low follows the exact same rules as Omaha Poker. The only difference is that the poker pot may be split in two, and divided between the highest hand and the lowest hands at the poker table. This depends on whether or not there is a qualifying low hand.

For a low hand to qualify, it must be made up of different numbered cards, the largest of which is not greater than an 8. That's why this poker game is sometimes called Omaha 8 or Greater.

Obviously splitting the pot introduces new angles of play. Not everyone staying in the poker hand is playing against you, in a sense. You may be playing for the low poker hand of the round, while other players are vying for the high hand. Since the poker pot is split, the winnings aren't always as high, but the action nearly doubles.

Seven Card Stud Poker

7 Card Stud is another basic poker game. Much like the very popular Texas Hold 'em. For anyone who hasn't played Stud Poker, the rules are simple. You are dealt two hole cards, face down and one card face up. Then the betting rounds begin. The next three cards are dealt face up. The final, seventh card is dealt face down.

Poker Players then use their best five cards to make the strongest hand possible. Unlike Hold 'em and Omaha, there are no community cards. The only cards you can use are those that have been dealt to you.

7 Card Stud seems to be the Stud Poker game of choice on the net.

Seven Card Stud Hi/Low

Seven Card Hi/Low is, as expected, at the split-pot version of the popular Stud Poker game. Poker Players try to gather either the highest, or lowest possible hands. And if there is a qualifying low hand at the table, the pot is split.
A qualifying low hand contains different numbered cards, none of them can be higher than an 8. That's why the poker game is sometimes called 7 Card Stud, 8 or Better.

Five Card Stud

5 Card Stud is another Stud Poker game. It is not as popular as the seven card version. At least not on the net.
If you've never played 5 Card Stud, it is a scaled down version of the seven card poker game. Each poker player is dealt one hole card (face down) and one card face up. Then the betting begins.

Draw 5 Poker

Draw 5 is one of the most popular kitchen table poker games around. It is the poker games in many places.
The World Series of Poker seems to have gotten everyone on the Texas Hold'em kick.

The poker game is played by dealing every player a hand of five cards. All the cards are dealt at once, and none of them are dealt face up. Every poker person at the poker table holds a hand that only he/she knows the contents of, so you'll be betting against unknown cards in this poker game.

After the cards are dealt, a round of betting takes place. After the betting the poker players have a chance to replace cards in their hand, just as you do in a video poker game. You may choose to replace as many cards as you wish.

Once you have replaced the weak cards in your hand, you have your final hand. Now, the last round of betting begins. After this final round of betting, the poker player with the highest hand wins the pot.

Poker Players are then dealt a card, followed by a round of betting. This continues until the poker players are dealt five cards. Four of the five cards are face up, for all the table to see. With only one hole card, it's hard to surprise anyone, and many poker players can see strong hands coming.