Discussion
Boys poker night tomorrow, should be good fun...except I have never played poker in my life and fear I will be handing over some of my hard earned with a whimper! 
Apparently it's Texas Hold'em?!?? Not sure what that means exactly but a search of t'internet throws up some pretty ropey instructions and all the play for free games happen so quickly I don't know what the hell is going on.
Anyone care to provide some pearls of wisdom (probably starting right from the beginning). I don't even know what cards beat what, how you bet etc. The instructions mention betting to the left and the first two players have to bet?? Then what? Do you get to see your cards?!? AGGHHHH!!!!!
The 'how to' guides on the web have left me confused. We're not playing for much but I need to leave with a little of my pride intact.
I fear it's a case of either I learn and get beaten with head held high, or, I get absolutely banjaxed and blame my poor form on the beers.
Apparently it's Texas Hold'em?!?? Not sure what that means exactly but a search of t'internet throws up some pretty ropey instructions and all the play for free games happen so quickly I don't know what the hell is going on.
Anyone care to provide some pearls of wisdom (probably starting right from the beginning). I don't even know what cards beat what, how you bet etc. The instructions mention betting to the left and the first two players have to bet?? Then what? Do you get to see your cards?!? AGGHHHH!!!!!
The 'how to' guides on the web have left me confused. We're not playing for much but I need to leave with a little of my pride intact.
I fear it's a case of either I learn and get beaten with head held high, or, I get absolutely banjaxed and blame my poor form on the beers.
Edited by Jibber Jabber on Friday 15th January 21:09
Hold 'Em is easy to pick up, but if nobody has any experience of the game I think it would be a good idea to find someone who does to join the game and explain things as the game progresses, otherwise arguements will start etc. Are you playing a tournament or a cash game?
Don't try and learn by playing on internet sites as they do everything apart from betting for you (blinds, buttons, who to act first, how many cards on the board etc). Try watching some poker on Youtube, something like High Stakes Poker has very good commentary in which they explain a lot about how each person is playing.
Don't try and learn by playing on internet sites as they do everything apart from betting for you (blinds, buttons, who to act first, how many cards on the board etc). Try watching some poker on Youtube, something like High Stakes Poker has very good commentary in which they explain a lot about how each person is playing.
In texas hold'em, you get 2 cards and as the game progresses, 3 cards will be layed out called the flop,then a round of betting, then another card layed out,a round of betting then the final card layed outand a bit more betting. Out of the seven cards, whoever has the best hand wins.
If the two cards you have to start with are a pair (eg 2 x jacks), or the same suit (eg 2 x diamonds) then its worth betting, otherwise you can fold, so that your out of the game , or just bluff and make them think you have a good hand.
hope this is helpful mate!
If the two cards you have to start with are a pair (eg 2 x jacks), or the same suit (eg 2 x diamonds) then its worth betting, otherwise you can fold, so that your out of the game , or just bluff and make them think you have a good hand.
hope this is helpful mate!
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away and know when to run
You never count your money, when you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealin's done
Every gambler knows that the secret to survive is
Knowing what to throw away and knowing what to keep
'Cos every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser
And the best that you can hope for is dyin' in your sleep
Know when to walk away and know when to run
You never count your money, when you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin', when the dealin's done
Every gambler knows that the secret to survive is
Knowing what to throw away and knowing what to keep
'Cos every hand's a winner and every hand's a loser
And the best that you can hope for is dyin' in your sleep
Texam holdem is easy to pick up, go online and search some free games to practise on the betting rules might vary slightly but it will give you an idea.
And your success on the game will depends on your ability of knowing when to gamble or not.
You will be given two cards to start, if they are both low numbers and don't pair then fold, don't waste money betting if you are not wanting to lose cash. If they are highish and maybe have a pair then see what the the next three cards that are unfolded show, if you have any potential try and gamble till the end and show confidence even if it doesnt work out if not again fold.
Try and learn all the hands you can get and what they beat.
And its a bit like the lottery you have to be in it to win it. Bet big, win big.
And your success on the game will depends on your ability of knowing when to gamble or not.
You will be given two cards to start, if they are both low numbers and don't pair then fold, don't waste money betting if you are not wanting to lose cash. If they are highish and maybe have a pair then see what the the next three cards that are unfolded show, if you have any potential try and gamble till the end and show confidence even if it doesnt work out if not again fold.
Try and learn all the hands you can get and what they beat.
And its a bit like the lottery you have to be in it to win it. Bet big, win big.
Elskeggso said:
Wayne King said:
Copy everything that Gus Hansen has ever done on a poker table and you will be absolutely fine. Get on Youtube and look him up. Legend.
That would be incomprehensible for a beginner!
I wanted him to go on youtube and watch and then be even more confused and then start to panic!Really basic idea of how to play:
Every game starts with a dealer, a little blind and a big blind. The dealer deals the cards, the little blind has to put some money on the table and the big blind puts down double the amount of the little blind.
Round one! I can't remember who starts, but you get the option to fold (give up your cards), check (you have to match the big blind and put some money on the table) or bet (put more money down!). If everyone 'checks' and places the same amount of cash on the table the next stage begins. If someone has betted an amount, you can either fold, check (match the bet) or increase the bet.
Next round is the flop. The top card is discarded (In case anyone saw it!) and 3 cards are placed face up in front of all. These are community cards and you can use them with your hand to create pairs, 2 pairs, a straight, full house etc
Again, another round of fold, check or bet happens.
Next round: The turn ... Another card is discard and another is placed on the table. Again, fold, check or bet.
Next round: The river ... The last of the community cards! The top card of the deck is discarded and another is placed face up on the table. This is the last time to fold, check or bet.
It's good to learn which hands beat which hands etc ... Perhaps someone at the table can give you some advice before or maybe have a quick few 'test' rounds so you know what to expect. It's easy to pick up and good fun too! Remember, you can bet if you have good cards or you can bet if you're good at bluffing
If people stare at me for a tell, I laugh whether I have good or bad cards. I've won rounds and betted big (Not for money, but for fun) by nervously laughing and having rubbish cards!
Have fun!
Every game starts with a dealer, a little blind and a big blind. The dealer deals the cards, the little blind has to put some money on the table and the big blind puts down double the amount of the little blind.
Round one! I can't remember who starts, but you get the option to fold (give up your cards), check (you have to match the big blind and put some money on the table) or bet (put more money down!). If everyone 'checks' and places the same amount of cash on the table the next stage begins. If someone has betted an amount, you can either fold, check (match the bet) or increase the bet.
Next round is the flop. The top card is discarded (In case anyone saw it!) and 3 cards are placed face up in front of all. These are community cards and you can use them with your hand to create pairs, 2 pairs, a straight, full house etc
Again, another round of fold, check or bet happens.Next round: The turn ... Another card is discard and another is placed on the table. Again, fold, check or bet.
Next round: The river ... The last of the community cards! The top card of the deck is discarded and another is placed face up on the table. This is the last time to fold, check or bet.
It's good to learn which hands beat which hands etc ... Perhaps someone at the table can give you some advice before or maybe have a quick few 'test' rounds so you know what to expect. It's easy to pick up and good fun too! Remember, you can bet if you have good cards or you can bet if you're good at bluffing
If people stare at me for a tell, I laugh whether I have good or bad cards. I've won rounds and betted big (Not for money, but for fun) by nervously laughing and having rubbish cards!Have fun!
Best beginners guide I've seen:
http://www.thehendonmob.com/guide/index.php?p=2
It'll still confuse the hell out of you until you've played for a couple of hours though.
http://www.thehendonmob.com/guide/index.php?p=2
It'll still confuse the hell out of you until you've played for a couple of hours though.
If it's a boys night just let them teach you as you go....I used to play at a huge home game (30 players average) and new folk often came along without a clue.... If your mates are mares they will help you out- anyone using a new player in a home game to make money is a tosser. Also, I doubt you'll play in a format where losses are unlimited... Mire likely you all bet the same up front and the game winner keeps the lot- as opposed to seperate bets on each "round" which gets expensive and doesn't often happen in mates games.
In summary save the Reading for when u want to get good. As a driver you can read up on left foot braking but as a nondriver the best way to learn the basics is to get in a car with someone showing you what to do.
In summary save the Reading for when u want to get good. As a driver you can read up on left foot braking but as a nondriver the best way to learn the basics is to get in a car with someone showing you what to do.
Edited by Tiggsy on Saturday 16th January 01:13
Somewhatfoolish said:
If it's a boy's night out I'd just fold everything apart from top ten hands and move all in pre flop with the other ten, given that the other lads will probably be complete morons this should let you finish in the top third.
Er... unless your all-in hand comes up against something half decent - in which case its adios muchachos.Edited by Somewhatfoolish on Monday 18th January 11:22
hornetrider said:
Somewhatfoolish said:
If it's a boy's night out I'd just fold everything apart from top ten hands and move all in pre flop with the other ten, given that the other lads will probably be complete morons this should let you finish in the top third.
Er... unless your all-in hand comes up against something half decent - in which case its adios muchachos.Edited by Somewhatfoolish on Monday 18th January 11:22
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