How do you play poker?
Discussion
So I had my first ever game of poker (on Facebook) and was doing really well considering I didn't have the first clue what I was doing. Texas Holdem Poker to be exact. I was winning by a mile for quite a long time and then got into this kind of James Bond Casino Royale fixation and blew the lot on a hand which I had no idea what it was worth. they were all the same colour, put it that way.
So, what are the rules? How do you play poker? Whats the most you've ever won/lost in real life?
So, what are the rules? How do you play poker? Whats the most you've ever won/lost in real life?
well you make hands of cards which I'm sure you're aware of. Some better than others.
Texas hold em is great, wikipedia has a fairly decent article on it which is wear I learned the basics years ago. Played against the computer for a bit, then registered with a couple of online gambling places and just played for free (no value games) to learn what I was doing.
Most I've ever won is just over a grand, never lost anything vast.
Texas hold em is great, wikipedia has a fairly decent article on it which is wear I learned the basics years ago. Played against the computer for a bit, then registered with a couple of online gambling places and just played for free (no value games) to learn what I was doing.
Most I've ever won is just over a grand, never lost anything vast.
Ahh ok. I understand that. Makes sense. But it seemed like I couldn't view more than two of my cards. Do I only have two cards and then the three that are on the table? They seemed to change occasionally. Not sure if its because I pressed check or call? I was up £1700 at one point but blew the lot in one go!
outlaw biker said:
Ahh ok. I understand that. Makes sense. But it seemed like I couldn't view more than two of my cards. Do I only have two cards and then the three that are on the table? They seemed to change occasionally. Not sure if its because I pressed check or call? I was up £1700 at one point but blew the lot in one go!
yep you make the best hands you can from yours and what's put on the table (community cards).If you've got windows vista you can download the poker game for it for free, not sure if it's just on ultimate or what but I did. Good fun too
The hardest part is remembering your hands, and remembering the terminology when playing with more experienced players. I found it really hard to learn by reading about it without actually playing at the same time. I'm also s
te at explaining it as I'm sure you've realised by now Believe me dont try and learn poker in dribs and drabs on forum posts.
Use one of the hundreds of poker sites and their tutorials. Then register on an online poker site and play lots of free play games.
Bear in mind online poker strategy is quite different to playing live games.
Also, as in any gambling only bet what you are prepared to drop on the floor and walk away from otherwise you could get into a lot of trouble as it can be very addictive.
Personally, I make most of my winnings playing heads up speed games, but you play those a bit differently to 6 or 10 player tables.
Use one of the hundreds of poker sites and their tutorials. Then register on an online poker site and play lots of free play games.
Bear in mind online poker strategy is quite different to playing live games.
Also, as in any gambling only bet what you are prepared to drop on the floor and walk away from otherwise you could get into a lot of trouble as it can be very addictive.
Personally, I make most of my winnings playing heads up speed games, but you play those a bit differently to 6 or 10 player tables.
yep.
Everyone gets two cards of their own. then you'll have the first round of betting based on that (preflop betting).
3 cards get dealt in the middle face up (called a flop).
Then you'll start to get an idea of some (if any) hands you can make, so we bet again.
After that a single card is dealt into the middle, and yep, another bet.
Fifth and final community card then gets dealt and the best hand possible is chosen by the remaining players. quick bet then you all show yer cards (the showdown) and whoever has the best hand wins.
simplest explanation I could cobble together
Everyone gets two cards of their own. then you'll have the first round of betting based on that (preflop betting).
3 cards get dealt in the middle face up (called a flop).
Then you'll start to get an idea of some (if any) hands you can make, so we bet again.
After that a single card is dealt into the middle, and yep, another bet.
Fifth and final community card then gets dealt and the best hand possible is chosen by the remaining players. quick bet then you all show yer cards (the showdown) and whoever has the best hand wins.
simplest explanation I could cobble together
TVR Moneypit said:
outlaw biker said:
Whats the most you've ever won/lost in real life?
A touch over £110'000 in a cash game. Wasn't my money, I was just the dealer on the table.To say that the atmosphere was a little tense would be an understatement.
The most I've won is £110, but then I don't play online because I enjoy the social aspect more than the cards themselves.
And I'll echo the comments above about trying to learn from forum posts. The best way to learn is to play. There are also plenty of books out there to learn the basic tactics from
Good luck (unless you're playing against me
)
And I'll echo the comments above about trying to learn from forum posts. The best way to learn is to play. There are also plenty of books out there to learn the basic tactics from
Good luck (unless you're playing against me
)paulmurr said:
The most I've won is £110, but then I don't play online because I enjoy the social aspect more than the cards themselves.
Indeed. I've played poker online and found it extremely dull. Much more fun to play for matchsticks against friends. One advantage of playing online is that you can play 2 or 3 games at the same time...
shadowninja said:
Indeed. I've played poker online and found it extremely dull. Much more fun to play for matchsticks against friends. One advantage of playing online is that you can play 2 or 3 games at the same time...
And you can have a couple of drinks without fear that you'll get your wallet emptied 
I'm playing tonight as it happens, but its only a tenner buy-in. I'm more interested in the banter and the bottle of vodka I have chilling in the freezer
I have a mate who plays every sat night. One friday he decided to teach me. I have to say I really enjoyed it and would find it great banter amoungst friends with a few drinks as long as you did not go daft with the money. Can't for the life of me remember how to play now although I did beat him on all games. 
For poker newbies. Go to VC poker.com. Register an account (no need for credit cards etc..). Go to "my account" then "promotions". Find the bonus tab and insert the code FreeCash. They will deposit $10 in your account without you making a deposit. You can then play the penny tables for free while you learn. I did it there and at several other sites I heard about and cashed out to Neteller without ever making a deposit.
All poker sites also have play money tables for people who want to play to learn without risking any money. Best way though is to play the small blind real money tables.
I would personally avoid any site that still allows US players to play. They are basically operating outside the law and my experience of playing most of them is that the deal is not what it should be. Miracle cards abound and the flops seem to be "sporting".
The ipoker sites (Titan, CD, VC, Poker 770 etc..) seem to be pretty fair.
All poker sites also have play money tables for people who want to play to learn without risking any money. Best way though is to play the small blind real money tables.
I would personally avoid any site that still allows US players to play. They are basically operating outside the law and my experience of playing most of them is that the deal is not what it should be. Miracle cards abound and the flops seem to be "sporting".
The ipoker sites (Titan, CD, VC, Poker 770 etc..) seem to be pretty fair.Dont play online you loose the very essence of Poker as you can't see the other people. Its all about reading the other people, their expressions, the nervs if they ahve a good hand etc... The best way to learn poker is The Nuts poker league im sure a pub near you has weekly games, they are just for fun and points, no money changing hands but you learn the game quickly and I believe is far better way of learning than playing online.
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