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As a game, poker can be pretty easy and simple to learn. And if you want to understand why so many people are in love with the game, you will have to get a clear idea about the rules. Once you have a clear idea about poker sequence rules, you can go from being an amateur to a pro in no time. However, the poker rules can feel pretty challenging for an absolute beginner. But you have nothing to worry in that regard. Here is a detailed account of poker sequence rules to help you understand this popular game better.
The values of poker hands
The system of ranking hands is the common element in most poker variants. Royal flush, which means five cards of one suit, is the highest ranked hand. Next in line is the straight flush, which is five cards of the same suit that have consecutive ranks. Four-of-a-kind is the third combination in line and then comes the three-of-a-kind-plus-one pair known as full house.
You might have heard terms like the Flush, the Straight, the Three-of-a-kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card. In terms of ranking, these follow in that exact succession after full house as they are given above.
Ante bets and blinds
Poker games like Omaha and Texas hold’em have big and small blinds. They are called like that because these are blind bets that players need to make before dealing with any cards. At the same time, stud games usually make use of antes. It also involves players placing chips right in the middle before the hand starts. Poker sequence rules state that larger pots get created as the hand progresses and the players bet more.
No limit vs. limit poker games
Some of the poker games are played with no-limit betting. It means the players can bet as much as they want at any point in the hand, which also includes going all in. There is also something called the pot-limit betting. It means the present size of the pot makes an upper limit on the amount for which the player can bet. Games with fixed-limit betting contain predetermined amounts that players have to stick to while making their raises and bets.
The actions performed
Several other terms are used in different poker games, including the ones that have something to do with the actions performed while playing. When the action is focused on you, the options you have include:
- Check – Decline to bet
- Fold – If someone has bet already, you can withdraw from the hand
- Bet – Placing your wager on the table
- Raise – Adding more chips and putting in a bigger amount by matching the bet of your opponent’s
- Call – Match your opponent’s bet to stay in the hand and carry on playing
All those terms are important steps in the journey of learning the ways to play poker because they are featured in all variants of poker.
The betting rounds
In games that involve community cards like Omaha and hold’em, you will have the following betting rounds:
- River – The bets after the fifth and last community card
- Turn – The bets after the fourth community card
- Flop – The bets after dealing the first three community cards
- Preflop – The bets before dealing any community card
The table stakes
Table stakes is another poker rule that is common to all variants you will play, whether it is online or live. Poker sequence rules have to take table stakes into account. Table stakes mean that after a hand starts, you are allowed to bet only the amount you has on the table to start the hand. You are not allowed to add more when the hand is playing out. You cannot add more amount when you are halfway through the round. So, play out the hand with whatever you had at the start.
Wrapping up
And now you have a brief idea about poker rules. You will be able to enjoy the game even more now that you know about these easy and simple rules. As you keep playing the game, you will learn more and more about it. So, go ahead and start playing!