Poker Basics
Contrary to what some may have you believe, poker is a game that involves certain skills and knowledge. Sure luck is involved too, and a lot of people at poker tables are technically just gamblers with fat wallets. But those that profit from them these types of players will be quick to tell you that actually playing poker requires a little know-how, a fair amount of patience, and a whole lot of experience. To get you started on the road to being a successful poker player, we've put together a little beginner's guide with what you'll need to initially survive and eventually flourish.
Standard Hank Rankings
In the majority of high-handed poker games hand rankings are as follows, listed from highest to lowest with corresponding examples (s = spades, h = hearts, d = diamonds, c = clubs).
ROYAL FLUSH
Ad Kd Qd Jd Td
STRAIGHT FLUSH
8c 7c 6c 5c 4c
FOUR OF A KIND
Jh Jc Jd Js Ah
FULL HOUSE
9d 9c 9h 7d 7s
FLUSH
Ks Js 8s 5s 2s
STRAIGHT
6d 5c 4h 3s 2d
THREE OF A KIND
Ah Ac Ad Qs Th
TWO PAIR
Ts Th 7s 7d Kd
ONE PAIR
Qc Qs Ad 4c 3c
HIGH CARD
Ad Tc 9h 7s 4h
General Gameplay
Nothing gets experienced poker players more ticked off than constantly asking what your options are when it's your turn. In order to keep the game running smoothly, you'll need to know the following courses of action.
POSTING BLINDS
In more popular poker games, the two players to the left of the dealer are in the small blind and big blind positions, respectively. These players are required to make forced bets, usually half the minimum bet for the small blind and the whole minimum bet for the big blind, in order to build the initial pot. Play then begins to the left of the big blind, and ends when all players have acted and all raises have either been called or folded to. Note that if you are in the big blind and there are no raises in front of you, you can essentially advance to the next betting round for free by checking, or announce a raise to minimize your opponents.
FIRST TO ACT / OPENING
If you are first to act or facing no bets in front of you, then you have three simple options: check, bet, or fold. Checking simply continues the play to the next player, or advances to the next betting round if you are last to check. Betting requires putting chips into the pot in an amount between the minimum and maximum limits, and forces your opponents to at least call that amount if they continue to play. Folding is an option, though it is highly recommended that when you are inclined to fold, but are not facing any bets, you should check.
FACING A BET OR RAISE
Once you have a bet or raise in front of you, your options change dramatically. Now you can either call, raise, or fold. Calling, or matching your opponent's bet is typically the weakest tool in your poker shed, and if you continue to only call you will only win a pot by having the better hand in the end. If you decide to raise, it must typically be to an amount that is at least twice the initial bet, but may be bigger depending on the limit that you are playing. This then forces the action onto any players behind you, and also the initial bettor. Of course if you no longer wish to carry on with the hand, you can always fold and hope that your luck improves the next time around.
Starting Hand Selection
A lot of amateur players begin player poker with the "any two cards can win" type of mindset. In any single hand, this can be true, but over the long run poker is a game of odd and probabilities, where pocket Aces are the strongest hand and 2-7 offsuit is the weakest link. By playing your stronger hands as such, and hardly playing lesser hands at all, you are making wise investments when you are in the best situations to do so. Listed below are a few key pointers for what hands you should play, and when and how you should do so (s = suited / cards of the same suit).
PREMIUM PAIRS
examples: AA, KK, QQ
These are the hands that you certainly can't complain about. You should raise and reraise preflop from any position at the table, and only consider calling a raise when you suspect you are behind a bigger pair (Aces vs. Kings can and will happen).
OTHER PREMIUM HANDS
examples: AKs, AQs, AK, JJ, TT
Though easily dominated by premium pairs, more often than not you will hold a significant advantage with these hands, and will want to raise and/or reraise before the flop to isolate your opponents. Playing them after the flop can turn out to be a bit trickier, but sometimes your preflop aggression will allow you to take down the pot with another bet.
LOW - MEDIUM POCKET PAIRS
examples: 22 - 99
Obviously there is considerable variation over the strength of pocket pairs, as a pair of 5's is easily dominated by a pair of 8's, and they are both dominated by any premium pair. However, any pocket pair, even 2's, are a virtual coinflip against any two overcards. These fairly 50/50 situations are often inevitable preflop matchups that cannot be avoided, especially in tournament play, but if you can, you should try to see a cheap flop in hopes of hitting a set.
BOARDWALK CARDS AND SUITED ACES
examples: KQ, AT, QJ, A3s
The five cards from 10 to Ace are generally referred to as boardwalk cards, and are given increasing strength as your number of opponents decreases. Suited Aces, or an Ace with any card of the same suit, has nice flush possibilities, but can be troublesome when you pair your Ace with a weak kicker. These hands typically fair better in multiway pots when you can see a cheap flop with good position, but should be easily tossed when facing a sizeable raise.
SUITED CONNECTORS
examples: JTs, T9s, 87s
Similarly to suited Aces, suited connectors fair well in multiway pots because of their abilities to make straights and flushes (albeit weaker flushes). They are fine to play from later positions if you can see a cheap flop, are easy to get away from if the board completely misses you, and have been known to cripple overcards and overpairs alike. When played correctly, they can be highly effective.
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