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| Rules of Poker |
| Rules of Poker for Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha High Low, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud High Low and Razz |
| Hold'em |
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Hold'em is probably the best known and most popular form of poker today.
Each player starts with two hole cards. There are three rounds of community
cards. These are dealt face up, for every player to use, with betting after
each round.
The best 5-card hand using any combination of the five community cards and
two hole cards wins.
Each new hand begins with a small blind, a big blind, and a round of betting.
The betting rules vary depending upon whether the game is Limit, Pot Limit
or No Limit.
Once the first round of betting is complete, the dealer then puts out the first
three community cards, or "the flop". There is a round of betting.
The dealer then puts out the fourth community card or "the turn". There is a
round of betting.
The dealer then puts out the fifth community card or "the river". There is a
final round of betting.
After the last round of betting, the pot is awarded to the best hand.
All Hold'em games include a small blind and big blind. These are forced bets,
and are determined by the position of the button. These bets are considered
live, and every player in the hand must either call the big blind, raise, or fold.
The button moves clockwise around the table, giving each player a turn being
the button, small blind, and big blind.
In Limit Hold'em, each betting round has a fixed bet. In $5/$10, the small
blind is $2.50, the big blind is $5, and the first two rounds of betting are in
increments of $5. The last two rounds of betting are in increments of $10.
There is a maximum of three reraises per betting round.
In Pot Limit, a player can bet any amount from the minimum bet to the size of
the pot. In a $5/$10 pot-limit game, the small blind is $5 and the big blind is
$10. The first player can call the big blind (in this case, $10), or raise to any
amount up to the size of the pot. A raise must either equal or exceed the
previous bet or raise. In this case, a pot-sized raise would be $25 ($5 small
blind + $10 big blind + $10 call), meaning that, in total, player three can bet
up $35. Supposing player three makes a pot-sized raise, the total pot is now
$50.
If the next player wants into the hand, they must call $35, which is the size
of player three's bet. If they want to raise the maximum, they would bet
$120, which equals the size of the pot ($50) plus a $70 raise ($35 call + $35
raise).
In No Limit, a player can bet any amount from the minimum bet to the
maximum number of chips they have in front of them. As in pot limit, a $5/$10
No Limit game means blinds of $5 and $10.
In Tournament Hold'em, the blinds will increase after timed intervals. And
while Hold'em generally does not have antes, in tournaments, the later
rounds will include antes based upon the escalating betting limits.
Each player starts with two hole cards. There are three rounds of community
cards. These are dealt face up, for every player to use, with betting after
each round.
The best 5-card hand using any combination of the five community cards and
two hole cards wins.
Each new hand begins with a small blind, a big blind, and a round of betting.
The betting rules vary depending upon whether the game is Limit, Pot Limit
or No Limit.
Once the first round of betting is complete, the dealer then puts out the first
three community cards, or "the flop". There is a round of betting.
The dealer then puts out the fourth community card or "the turn". There is a
round of betting.
The dealer then puts out the fifth community card or "the river". There is a
final round of betting.
After the last round of betting, the pot is awarded to the best hand.
All Hold'em games include a small blind and big blind. These are forced bets,
and are determined by the position of the button. These bets are considered
live, and every player in the hand must either call the big blind, raise, or fold.
The button moves clockwise around the table, giving each player a turn being
the button, small blind, and big blind.
In Limit Hold'em, each betting round has a fixed bet. In $5/$10, the small
blind is $2.50, the big blind is $5, and the first two rounds of betting are in
increments of $5. The last two rounds of betting are in increments of $10.
There is a maximum of three reraises per betting round.
In Pot Limit, a player can bet any amount from the minimum bet to the size of
the pot. In a $5/$10 pot-limit game, the small blind is $5 and the big blind is
$10. The first player can call the big blind (in this case, $10), or raise to any
amount up to the size of the pot. A raise must either equal or exceed the
previous bet or raise. In this case, a pot-sized raise would be $25 ($5 small
blind + $10 big blind + $10 call), meaning that, in total, player three can bet
up $35. Supposing player three makes a pot-sized raise, the total pot is now
$50.
If the next player wants into the hand, they must call $35, which is the size
of player three's bet. If they want to raise the maximum, they would bet
$120, which equals the size of the pot ($50) plus a $70 raise ($35 call + $35
raise).
In No Limit, a player can bet any amount from the minimum bet to the
maximum number of chips they have in front of them. As in pot limit, a $5/$10
No Limit game means blinds of $5 and $10.
In Tournament Hold'em, the blinds will increase after timed intervals. And
while Hold'em generally does not have antes, in tournaments, the later
rounds will include antes based upon the escalating betting limits.
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| Omaha |
Omaha is a variation of Hold'em played with four hole cards instead of two. At
showdown, the best five-card hand using exactly two of your hole cards and
three cards from the board wins. Unlike Hold'em, you may not use more than
three cards from the board. The betting and blinds are exactly the same as in
Hold'em.
At the beginning of each hand, each player is dealt four hole cards. There is a
small blind, a big blind, and a round of betting.
In Pot Limit, a player can bet any amount from the minimum bet to the size of
the pot. In a $5/$10 pot-limit game, the small blind is $5 and the big blind is
$10. The first player can call the big blind (in this case, $10), or raise to any
amount up to the size of the pot. A raise must either equal or exceed the
previous bet or raise. In this case, a pot-sized raise would be $25 ($5 small
blind + $10 big blind + $10 call), meaning that, in total, player three can bet
up $35. Supposing player three makes a pot-sized raise, the total pot is now
$50.
If the next player wants into the hand, they must call $35, which is the size
of player three's bet. If they want to raise the maximum, they would bet
$120, which equals the size of the pot ($50) plus a $70 raise ($35 call + $35
raise).
Once the first round of betting is complete, the dealer then puts out a three
card flop, just as in Hold'em. There is a round of betting. In the above
example, the minimum bet would be $10 (the size of the big blind), and the
maximum bet would be the size of the pot.
All raises in all remaining rounds behave as described above.
The dealer then puts out a fourth (or turn) card, followed by a round of
betting.
The dealer then puts out a fifth (or river) card, followed by a round of betting.
The winner is the player who makes the best possible five card hand using
exactly two cards from their hand and three cards from the board.
This is important. Unlike Hold'em, you cannot use just one card from your
hand, nor can you play the board.
For example:
Your hand: Ah Kc Qc Jc The board: 3h 4h 5h 6h 7h
You DO NOT have an ace-high nut flush, nor can you simply play the board for
a straight flush. Using two cards from your hand, your best hand is:
Ah Kc 7h 6h 5h
In other words, you should have folded.
showdown, the best five-card hand using exactly two of your hole cards and
three cards from the board wins. Unlike Hold'em, you may not use more than
three cards from the board. The betting and blinds are exactly the same as in
Hold'em.
At the beginning of each hand, each player is dealt four hole cards. There is a
small blind, a big blind, and a round of betting.
In Pot Limit, a player can bet any amount from the minimum bet to the size of
the pot. In a $5/$10 pot-limit game, the small blind is $5 and the big blind is
$10. The first player can call the big blind (in this case, $10), or raise to any
amount up to the size of the pot. A raise must either equal or exceed the
previous bet or raise. In this case, a pot-sized raise would be $25 ($5 small
blind + $10 big blind + $10 call), meaning that, in total, player three can bet
up $35. Supposing player three makes a pot-sized raise, the total pot is now
$50.
If the next player wants into the hand, they must call $35, which is the size
of player three's bet. If they want to raise the maximum, they would bet
$120, which equals the size of the pot ($50) plus a $70 raise ($35 call + $35
raise).
Once the first round of betting is complete, the dealer then puts out a three
card flop, just as in Hold'em. There is a round of betting. In the above
example, the minimum bet would be $10 (the size of the big blind), and the
maximum bet would be the size of the pot.
All raises in all remaining rounds behave as described above.
The dealer then puts out a fourth (or turn) card, followed by a round of
betting.
The dealer then puts out a fifth (or river) card, followed by a round of betting.
The winner is the player who makes the best possible five card hand using
exactly two cards from their hand and three cards from the board.
This is important. Unlike Hold'em, you cannot use just one card from your
hand, nor can you play the board.
For example:
Your hand: Ah Kc Qc Jc The board: 3h 4h 5h 6h 7h
You DO NOT have an ace-high nut flush, nor can you simply play the board for
a straight flush. Using two cards from your hand, your best hand is:
Ah Kc 7h 6h 5h
In other words, you should have folded.
| Omaha High Low |
Omaha Hi-Lo is a variant of Omaha. The betting, blinds, and postings are
exactly the same as in Omaha. At the showdown, the pot is split between
the holder of the highest hand, and the holder of the lowest hand, if the low
hand qualifies.
To qualify for a low hand, you must have five distinct cards (no pairs), with no
card higher than an 8. Remember, since you have to play two cards in your
hand, the two cards in your hand and three on the board all need to be 8 or
lower. Straights and flushes do not count against you. The best 5-card low
hand is A-2-3-4-5 of any suit. The hand is "ranked" by starting with the
highest low card. 7-4-3-2-1 would be considered a 7-low, and would lose to
6-4-3-2-1, a 6-low. If two players each have low hands with the same
highest card, the next highest card determines the winner. 7-5-4-3-2 loses to
7-4-3-2-1. If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand wins the entire
pot.
Just as in the high version of Omaha, each player starts with four hole cards,
and then the dealer places five cards face-up in the center of the table.
These community cards are part of each player's hand, so each player has
access to seven cards. The difference between Omaha high and Omaha
Hi-Lo, is that in Omaha Hi-Lo each player can potentially have two different
hands: a high hand and a low hand.
Each player forms a five-card high hand by using only two (no more, no less,
but they can be any two) of his hole cards together with only three (no more,
no less, but they can be any three) of the five community cards. Each player
forms a five-card low hand (if possible) by using only two (no more, no less,
but they can be any two) of his hole cards together with only three (no more,
no less, but they can be any three) of the five community cards. Both the high
hand combination and the low hand combination can use the same set of
cards, but they don't have to; in fact, usually they would not.
Because of the qualifier restriction, if at least three cards 8 or lower do not
appear among the community cards, a low hand is not possible.
exactly the same as in Omaha. At the showdown, the pot is split between
the holder of the highest hand, and the holder of the lowest hand, if the low
hand qualifies.
To qualify for a low hand, you must have five distinct cards (no pairs), with no
card higher than an 8. Remember, since you have to play two cards in your
hand, the two cards in your hand and three on the board all need to be 8 or
lower. Straights and flushes do not count against you. The best 5-card low
hand is A-2-3-4-5 of any suit. The hand is "ranked" by starting with the
highest low card. 7-4-3-2-1 would be considered a 7-low, and would lose to
6-4-3-2-1, a 6-low. If two players each have low hands with the same
highest card, the next highest card determines the winner. 7-5-4-3-2 loses to
7-4-3-2-1. If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand wins the entire
pot.
Just as in the high version of Omaha, each player starts with four hole cards,
and then the dealer places five cards face-up in the center of the table.
These community cards are part of each player's hand, so each player has
access to seven cards. The difference between Omaha high and Omaha
Hi-Lo, is that in Omaha Hi-Lo each player can potentially have two different
hands: a high hand and a low hand.
Each player forms a five-card high hand by using only two (no more, no less,
but they can be any two) of his hole cards together with only three (no more,
no less, but they can be any three) of the five community cards. Each player
forms a five-card low hand (if possible) by using only two (no more, no less,
but they can be any two) of his hole cards together with only three (no more,
no less, but they can be any three) of the five community cards. Both the high
hand combination and the low hand combination can use the same set of
cards, but they don't have to; in fact, usually they would not.
Because of the qualifier restriction, if at least three cards 8 or lower do not
appear among the community cards, a low hand is not possible.
| Seven Card Stud |
Long before Hold'em became "the game", 7 Card Stud was what you played
when poker night came around. One part skill, one part memory, one part
strategy, no parts boring.
Each player starts with two hole cards and one upcard; there are then three
more rounds of upcards, with betting after each card, and a final downcard,
followed by a final betting round. Each player ends up with seven cards: four
face up and three face down. The player holding the best hand using any five
of their cards wins the pot. As in Hold'em, aces play both high and low.
Each new hand begins with every player putting an ante into the pot. For
example, in a $2/$4 limit game, each player would ante 40 cents. The ante is
not like a blind, and does not count toward any future bets. On the first
round, the betting starts with the player having the lowest upcard. This bet is
a forced bet, and you will automatically put the specified minimum bet (called
the bring-in) into the pot. In a $2/$4 game, the bring-in would be $.50.
Each player can then fold, call the bring-in, or complete the bet (that is, raise
to the lower limit). Once the bring-in bet has been completed, there is a limit
of three reraises. All future rounds have a three raise limit, as well.
On fourth and all successive streets, the betting always starts with the
player showing the highest board. If two or more players have the same high
board, the betting begins with the player closest to the left of the stud
button.
The betting on fourth street normally proceeds at the lower limit. If, however,
any board shows an open pair, any player may choose to bet or raise at the
higher limit. Once a bet has been made at the higher limit, subsequent raises
must be at the higher limit. For example, in a $2/$4 game, the betting in
fourth street normally proceeds in increments of $2. If one of the players has
an open pair, that player has a choice of betting either $2 or $4. If that
player bets $2, any other player can call the $2, raise $2, or raise $4. Once a
bet or raise of $4 has been made, the betting must proceed at $4 increments.
On fifth street, the betting starts at the higher limit, and remains at that limit
through the final round of betting. After the last round of betting, the pot is
awarded to the best hand.
when poker night came around. One part skill, one part memory, one part
strategy, no parts boring.
Each player starts with two hole cards and one upcard; there are then three
more rounds of upcards, with betting after each card, and a final downcard,
followed by a final betting round. Each player ends up with seven cards: four
face up and three face down. The player holding the best hand using any five
of their cards wins the pot. As in Hold'em, aces play both high and low.
Each new hand begins with every player putting an ante into the pot. For
example, in a $2/$4 limit game, each player would ante 40 cents. The ante is
not like a blind, and does not count toward any future bets. On the first
round, the betting starts with the player having the lowest upcard. This bet is
a forced bet, and you will automatically put the specified minimum bet (called
the bring-in) into the pot. In a $2/$4 game, the bring-in would be $.50.
Each player can then fold, call the bring-in, or complete the bet (that is, raise
to the lower limit). Once the bring-in bet has been completed, there is a limit
of three reraises. All future rounds have a three raise limit, as well.
On fourth and all successive streets, the betting always starts with the
player showing the highest board. If two or more players have the same high
board, the betting begins with the player closest to the left of the stud
button.
The betting on fourth street normally proceeds at the lower limit. If, however,
any board shows an open pair, any player may choose to bet or raise at the
higher limit. Once a bet has been made at the higher limit, subsequent raises
must be at the higher limit. For example, in a $2/$4 game, the betting in
fourth street normally proceeds in increments of $2. If one of the players has
an open pair, that player has a choice of betting either $2 or $4. If that
player bets $2, any other player can call the $2, raise $2, or raise $4. Once a
bet or raise of $4 has been made, the betting must proceed at $4 increments.
On fifth street, the betting starts at the higher limit, and remains at that limit
through the final round of betting. After the last round of betting, the pot is
awarded to the best hand.
| Seven Card Stud High Low |
7 Card Stud Hi-Lo is a variant of 7 Card Stud. The betting, ante, and bring-in
are exactly the same as in 7 Card Stud. At the showdown, the pot is split
between the holder of the highest hand and the holder of the lowest hand, if
the low hand qualifies.
To qualify for a low hand, you must have five distinct cards (no pairs), with no
card higher than an 8. Straights and flushes do not count against you. The
best 5-card low hand is A-2-3-4-5 of any suit. The hand is "ranked" by
starting with the highest low card. 7-4-3-2-1 would be considered a 7-low,
and would lose to 6-4-3-2-1, a 6-low. If two players each have low hands
with the same highest card, the next highest card determines the winner.
7-5-4-3-2 loses to 7-4-3-2-1. If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand
wins the entire pot.
The only betting difference is that fourth street does not offer an optional
increase in the betting limit, regardless of any pairs on the board. In 7 Card
Stud Hi-Lo, the first two betting rounds are always at the lower limit, and the
last three always at the higher limit.
Just as in the high version of 7 Card Stud, each player starts with two hole
cards and one upcard; there are then three more rounds of upcards, with
betting after each card, and a final downcard, followed by a final betting
round. Each player ends up with seven cards: four face up and three face
down.
In 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo, each player forms a high hand and, if possible, a
qualifying low hand, using any five of his seven cards. Both the high hand
combination and the low hand combination can use the same set of cards,
but they don't have to. As in 7 Card Stud, aces play both high and low. You
may use an ace as a high card for one hand, and as a low card for another.
are exactly the same as in 7 Card Stud. At the showdown, the pot is split
between the holder of the highest hand and the holder of the lowest hand, if
the low hand qualifies.
To qualify for a low hand, you must have five distinct cards (no pairs), with no
card higher than an 8. Straights and flushes do not count against you. The
best 5-card low hand is A-2-3-4-5 of any suit. The hand is "ranked" by
starting with the highest low card. 7-4-3-2-1 would be considered a 7-low,
and would lose to 6-4-3-2-1, a 6-low. If two players each have low hands
with the same highest card, the next highest card determines the winner.
7-5-4-3-2 loses to 7-4-3-2-1. If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand
wins the entire pot.
The only betting difference is that fourth street does not offer an optional
increase in the betting limit, regardless of any pairs on the board. In 7 Card
Stud Hi-Lo, the first two betting rounds are always at the lower limit, and the
last three always at the higher limit.
Just as in the high version of 7 Card Stud, each player starts with two hole
cards and one upcard; there are then three more rounds of upcards, with
betting after each card, and a final downcard, followed by a final betting
round. Each player ends up with seven cards: four face up and three face
down.
In 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo, each player forms a high hand and, if possible, a
qualifying low hand, using any five of his seven cards. Both the high hand
combination and the low hand combination can use the same set of cards,
but they don't have to. As in 7 Card Stud, aces play both high and low. You
may use an ace as a high card for one hand, and as a low card for another.
| Razz |
Did you ever wish your "bad" hands could make you money? Then Razz could
be the game for you. Part lowball, part 7 Card Stud, the goal is to make the
best five-card low hand from seven cards.
Each player starts with two hole cards and one upcard; there are then three
more rounds of upcards, with betting after each card, and a final downcard,
just as in stud. Each player ends up with seven cards: four face up and three
face down.
The player holding the best low hand using any five of their cards wins the
pot. Aces are always low, and flushes and straights have no effect on the
value of a hand. Also, it's good to remember that drawing a pair will not hurt
your hand. The best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5.
Each new hand begins with every player putting an ante into the pot. For
example, in a $2/$4 limit game, each player would ante 40 cents. The ante is
not like a blind, and does not count toward any future bets.
In the first round, the betting starts with the player having the highest
upcard. This is a forced bet, and you will automatically put the specified
minimum bet (called the bring-in) into the pot.
Each player can then fold, call the bring-in, or complete the bet (that is, raise
to the lower limit). Once the bring-in bet has been completed, there is a limit
of three reraises. All future rounds have a three raise limit, as well.
The betting on fourth street always proceeds at the lower limit. Unlike 7 Card
Stud, an open pair does not affect the betting limit. All bets and raises on
fourth street will be increments of the low-limit bet. For example, if the low
limit bet is $5, it can be raised to $10, and then reraised to $15. On fifth
street, the bets start at the higher limit, and remain at that limit through the
final round of betting.
After the last round of betting, the pot will be awarded to the best low hand.
be the game for you. Part lowball, part 7 Card Stud, the goal is to make the
best five-card low hand from seven cards.
Each player starts with two hole cards and one upcard; there are then three
more rounds of upcards, with betting after each card, and a final downcard,
just as in stud. Each player ends up with seven cards: four face up and three
face down.
The player holding the best low hand using any five of their cards wins the
pot. Aces are always low, and flushes and straights have no effect on the
value of a hand. Also, it's good to remember that drawing a pair will not hurt
your hand. The best possible hand is A-2-3-4-5.
Each new hand begins with every player putting an ante into the pot. For
example, in a $2/$4 limit game, each player would ante 40 cents. The ante is
not like a blind, and does not count toward any future bets.
In the first round, the betting starts with the player having the highest
upcard. This is a forced bet, and you will automatically put the specified
minimum bet (called the bring-in) into the pot.
Each player can then fold, call the bring-in, or complete the bet (that is, raise
to the lower limit). Once the bring-in bet has been completed, there is a limit
of three reraises. All future rounds have a three raise limit, as well.
The betting on fourth street always proceeds at the lower limit. Unlike 7 Card
Stud, an open pair does not affect the betting limit. All bets and raises on
fourth street will be increments of the low-limit bet. For example, if the low
limit bet is $5, it can be raised to $10, and then reraised to $15. On fifth
street, the bets start at the higher limit, and remain at that limit through the
final round of betting.
After the last round of betting, the pot will be awarded to the best low hand.
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