MOST POPULAR TYPES OF POKER

Texas Hold'em

Texas Hold'em follows simple rules that any person can easily learn and begin to play immediately. However, inspite of its simplicity Texas Hold'em is a fast and complex game that takes years to master. No wonder it has become one of the most popular forms of poker played today.

Texas Hold'em uses a disc called a 'dealer button' to indicate where the cards are to be dealt. Prior to the deal, the two players to the left of the dealer button place 'live' bets called the 'small blind' and 'big blind'. The first player to the left of the button is the small blind, and the second player is the big blind. It's called 'blind' because the money/chips are put out prior to any action beginning. The word 'live' is used because it counts as part of any further bets in the first betting round (pre-flop). In online games, the dealer button replaces the 'real' dealer.

The game is divided into four rounds of betting.  Once the small and big blinds are put out, two cards are dealt face-down to each player at the table. Action starts on the first player to the left of the big  blind  (under-the-gun) and continues clockwise around the table. Players may bet, check, raise, or fold when it's their turn to act. The big blind will always be last to act if no other player raises the pot in the first betting round.

After the first betting round is complete three community cards are dealt face-up in the center of the table, and a second betting round takes place beginning with the first player to the left of the dealer button. After the betting has finished another card is dealt face-up called the 'turn' or 'fourth street', followed by another round of betting. The fifth and last card, called the 'river' or 'fifth street', is dealt face-up and a final round of betting takes place.

Players remaining in the hand will then show their cards and the winning poker hand will take the pot. Any combination of a player's 'hole' cards and 'community cards' may be used to make the best five-card poker hand.

Omaha Hi

Omaha is almost identical to Texas Hold'em, except that four cards are dealt to every player face-down instead of two, and you  must  use  two cards from your hand combined with three cards from the board to form your best five-card poker hand.

Omaha uses a dealer button and the blinds are the same as in Texas Hold'em. Action starts with the first player to the left of the dealer button. Players may bet, check, raise, or fold in turn.

Community cards are then dealt face-up in the center of the table in the same manner as in Texas Hold'em with betting after each round.

After the final betting round, the players remaining in the hand will then show all their cards. The player with the best five-card poker hand (using only two cards of the four cards dealt to them) wins.

Omaha Hi/Lo

Omaha Hi/Lo is very similar to regular Omaha, except the pot is split between a 'high hand' (the same as in Omaha High) and a 'low hand' (which is based on five cards and starts at 8 or below).

Players are dealt four hole cards face-down and five community cards that everyone can see and use. Each player must use two of their hole cards, as well as three of the community cards to make their hand.

If two or more players have an equally strong winning five-card hand, the pot will be split between the tying players.

Seven-Card Stud

In Seven-Card Stud each player receives two cards face-down and one card face-up. The player with the lowest card starts the betting. Each player in turn must call, raise, or fold.

Remaining players are then dealt three cards face-up with a betting round following each card.

The last card dealt to each remaining player is face-down and a final betting round follows.

Players remaining in the hand will then show their hands and the winning poker hand will be awarded the pot. Suits are not used in determining the winning hand, and tied hands will split the pot.

Five-Card Stud

In five-card stud poker, players place a small wager known as an 'ante'. Two cards are dealt to each player, one dealt face-down known as the 'hole' card, and the other face-up.

The player with the lowest ranking face-up card must place the opening bet.  Each player to the left of the player making the opening bet must in turn either call the opening bet, raise or fold.

When this round is complete each player is then dealt another card face-up followed by a round of betting. This continues until all players have five cards, one face-down and four face-up, or until only one player remains.

From the third card onwards, the betting is started by the highest poker hand showing.  All players have five cards in their hand, one down and four up.

If there is a showdown, players show all five cards. The winning hand is the highest ranking five-card poker hand.

Razz

Razz poker has rules very similar to seven-card stud, except you want to have the lowest possible hand. The person with the lowest hand is the winner, using only five of the seven cards dealt. The lowest hand is an A, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of any suit. The Ace is always low. Straights and flushes are discounted so that you are not impacted if you have one.

First round bets are placed. This is done before any cards are dealt. The minimum ante is about one-fifth the lowest possible bet amount.

Three cards are dealt to each player. Two cards are face-down, and one is face-up. This is called ''third street".

Players review their face up card. The player with the highest card must bet first. The bet must be equal to one-fifth of the low limit bet.

Then, one card is dealt to each player called "fourth street". Bets are placed again if you wish to remain in the game. The bet limit is the low bet amount.

Then, one more card is dealt face up to each player still in the hand, called "fifth street". Bets are placed on cards currently on table. The betting amount is now equal to the higher limit.

One more card is dealt to active players called "sixth street". Bets are placed again at higher limits.

A final card is dealt to remaining players face-down called "seventh street". Bets are placed at higher limits.

Finally, players remaining turn over face-down cards to see who has the winning hand.

Regular Pineapple

Pineapple poker is identical to texas hold'em except players are dealt three hole cards face down to begin instead of two.

After the three hole cards are dealt, players discard one hole card and keep the other two. A round of betting ensues. After the betting is complete, three community cards are dealt, and another round of betting begins.

The turn card is then dealt, another round of betting starts. Then the river card is dealt, another betting round, and then there's a showdown.

The best five-card poker hand wins.

Crazy Pineapple

Crazy pineapple is identical to regular pineapple except players discard  one  card after they see the community cards, or 'flop'.