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Card Games in General

Over the centuries, different countries and cultures have come up with a wealth of different card games. Some of these card games include, just to name some of the more widely known card games, an array of different types of Solitaire, as well as Bridge, Canasta, Rummy, Cribbage, Whist and many more.

Then, of course there are the many variations of poker card games, and it is these games the world seems to have an insatiable passion for. While the three currently most commonly played poker games consist of Texas Hold’Em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud, there are many other variations.

Some of these variations include Omaha Hi-Lo (which is 8 or Better); the Hi-Lo version of Seven Card Stud; the Five card draw; Triple Draw (2 to 7 as well as A to 5); HORSE, Razz, Crazy Pineapple and its Eight or Better version; Heads Up, Badugi and the 8-Game Mix; Double Flop, Mixed and Royal Hold’ems; HOSE, HOE, HO and OE Poker, a well as Strip Poker and Cold Omaha.

This, of course, is not taking into consideration the many versions of video poker games, such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild or Tens or Better, for instance. It is highly likely that the world-wide fascination for these particular card games is due to two main reasons: one is the fact that for many years poker, a type of gambling after all, was illegal; the other the fact that frequently games involving huge amounts of money are being televised.

Let’s face it, poker tournaments appear regularly on TV screens, whereas there are few, if any, occasions where card games like Bridge, Cribbage or Whist hit the air-waves. But then, matches and local tournaments of these type of card games rarely involve the kind of money poker does.

Learning Poker Card Games

With so much interest in poker in general, and many individual’s holding the hope that maybe one day they may land a big win in one of the many online poker game rooms, there are many individuals interested in learning poker games.

Fortunately, there is much help at hand. Many of the actual game sites include pages where the rules of various poker games are explained, one of which is the OnlinePoker10 site, which explains all the above mentioned poker games in detail.

Of course there are many different sites that make learning poker easier. Learners should, of course, be aware that every variation of poker has its own rules, which somewhat complicates things.

As a rule, however, learning poker games that are the most commonly played ones, such as the world’s current favourite, Texas Hold’Em poker, for instance, and maybe one or two other main games will pretty much prepare a player for most of the basics.

There is of course nothing better for learning poker than actually playing it. To enable people to learn and practise without ending up losing a lot of money in the process, there are a range of free and practice sites available, making learning poker card games a little safer to begin with.

Experienced players often stress how important it is to continually learn, through observations made during games, studying hints and tips, watching and playing, playing, playing games. Only with constant practice and and plenty of study will any beginner gradually become an expert poker player. Yes, like in any other card games, luck plays an important role. But while learning poker, most people realise just how much skill is involved in the game.

While gambling in Atlantic City poker rooms is something many players dream of, a major win in one of the many online tournaments may well make it a reality one day.

There are a whole host of poker rooms in and around the large casinos Atlantic City houses, but gambling in one of the many casinos and poker rooms in Atlantic City is not something the average poker enthusiast could possibly afford.

Gambling in Atlantic City – The Casinos

At last count, there were 13 major casinos in Atlantic City, with another one, the Revel, which is being created by parent company Revel Entertainment Group set to open some time in 2012 and another one, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casione, planned for 2014 by parent company Hard Rock.

Visitors currently gambling in Atlantic City use the already existing casinos, which consist of the ACH Casino Resort (Colony Capital), Bally’s Atlantic City (Caesars Entertainment), the Borgata (Marina District Development), Caesars Atlantic City, Showboat Atlantic City, The Wild Wild West Casino and Harrah’s (all Caesars Entertainment) and the Golden Nugget Atlantic City (Landry’s Entertainment), a well as the Resorts Casino Hotel (DGMB Casinos), the Hilton Atlantic City Casino Resort, Tropicana Atlantic City (Tropicana Entertainment), the Trump Plaza and Taj Mahal (both Trup Entertainment).

While the casinos naturally hold a whole host of casino, video and table games, many people flocking to Atlantic City go there to do their gambling in one of the dozens of Atlantic City poker rooms.

Atlantic City poker, Gambling in Style
At the moment poker players can do their gambling in a range of casinos on over 300 tables. That is a lot of games to choose from. Out of the nine large Atlantic City poker rooms, five currently have sit and go tables, where players can simply sit down and join play or leave as and when they choose to do so.

These sit and go Atlantic City poker rooms are Bally’s, with 20 tables; the Borgata, which has 85 tables and is also home to some major tournaments, such as the Borgata Open, for instance; the Trump Taj Mahal with 75 tables and the Tropicana with 43 tables.

The other four major Atlantic City poker rooms are Caesars Atlantic City and Harrah’s with 24 tables each, the Hilton Atlantic City with 22 tables and the Atlantic City Resorts with 6 tables.

Within the many Atlantic City poker rooms, players are continually found gambling in an array of daily tournaments. There are on average 20 tournaments a day, starting at different times in different locations, usually from around mid-morning until late at night, with the latest tournaments usually starting around 11 PM.

For players seeking an even bigger thrill than gambling in these daily minor tournaments, Atlantic City poker rooms are also home to a variety of major tournaments on a regular basis. Some of these Atlantic City poker tournaments include the Borgata, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter Opens, the US Poker Championship at the Taj Mahal, Ladies’ Events, the HOB Tourney at the Showboat, the Bogarta December mini-series and many, many more.

With so much to do and see, and so much to be won, as well as lost, it is of little wonder that gambling in Atlantic City holds such an incredible attraction for so many, but in particular for poker players. With the atmosphere of Atlantic City and Las Vegas poker rooms re-created in many online poker rooms, it is no surprise that so many poker players around the world simply love to sit and enjoy a game among a host of other players dreaming of that trip to Atlantic City.

This really is quite surprising when considering the large amounts of money involved in some games and tournaments. One would have thought that such tips poker players know of would be used to their own advantage, rather than making them public knowledge.

As it is, nobody is complaining, it is merely an observation of a very good sign, namely that even at high level competition, players are willing to share tips poker fans can make use of to improve their game.

Where to Find Tips Poker Experts Share

Apart from a whole list of poker blogs where players simply share their experiences and tips poker fans may appreciate, there are also a list of specific sites offering tips poker players will be glad to learn.

Some of these sites include PokerTips, Tips4Poker and PokerAbout, as well as PokerStrategy, StoneColdBluff, TightPoker, PokerSyte and PokerStars.

This already impressive list goes on with PokerTomorrow, PokerTipsnTricks, the pro-tips archice at FullTiltPoker and the poker tips at AskMen.

Other opportunities to find helpful hints exist at the TexasHoldemPokerPage, PokerTipCentral and Ladbroke’s Poker School, among many, many more similar sites.

There really is no way a beginner will have to struggle to get both basic and more advanced information on the various poker games that are available for play.

It is certainly advisable for anyone wishing to play, especially for money, to take a look at one or more of these sites to learn a few tricks before attempting to meet experienced players.

Tips Poker Delivers Through Tournament Videos
Another excellent way of learning the way in which experienced, expert players actually play the game is to watch a tournament video or two.

While many of the sites listed above actually include at least sections of tournament videos to show certain situations in action, it is also possible to find parts of or complete tournament videos elsewhere.

PokerListings, for example, has a whole range of the latest tournament videos for fans to watch. There are also a few sites, such as MZoneReport, for example, that use tournaments to tournament videos to explain rules and show strategies.

It is clear that the poker communities around the world are happy to share experiences, helpful hints and tips to ensure that those who enter their world are prepared.

Obviously every player has his or her own strategy they may not be making public, in order to keep some sort of edge over competitors, but as a whole, it is amazing just how many strategies and tips poker players can incorporate into their own games are being supplied.

Whether through blogs, help pages, forums or tournament videos, there is a whole world of knowledge and expert advice and tips poker beginners will certainly be most grateful for.

As many experienced players will readily agree, not only beginners, but also experts frequently study and learn from such helpful tips poker greats are making available to everyone.

There is many an expert player who will spend hours watching tournament videos not only to see strategies of various players, but also to see if they can spot give-aways, little gestures, certain facial expressions, etc that may indicate a player’s thoughts, such as whether they are bluffing, a specific expression when they are sure that they are likely to win, etc.

Recognising these signs on other players and remembering who does what in which situation is one of the most helpful tips poker players could possibly wish for. By being able to read their opponents’ body language, they are put at a distinct advantage over those who do not have this ability.

Texas limit Hold’Em rules vary from many other hold’em games in as much that players are only dealt two cards, the texas hole, and are able to decide whether to use both, just one or none of their texas hole to make the final highest ranking hand.

Basic Rules and Poker Strategy
Understanding the basic rules and poker strategy to use within a game is essential on any competitive level, but it should be mentioned that firm intermediate or expert levels require a lot of research into games using advanced tactics, and many hours of playing experience.

Essentially, the small blind, which is the player left of the dealer, or button, has to place a $1 bet, which is half of the minimum bet. The following player, the big blind, then has to place the minimum bet. These blinds are only played during the first round.

Each player then gets two face down cards, their texas hole. Starting with the player after the big blind, each player now either calls or raises the last bet made or folds, until all players including the small and big blinds have either called, raised or folded.

The dealer now turns up three cards, the flop, after which each player either checks, calls, raises or folds. The minimum bet is $2.Then another card, the Turn, is followed by a second round of bets at a minimum of$4. The final card, or River, is again followed by a round of bets and finally the highest hand revealed by remaining players wins the pot. The winning hand may contain none, one or both cards from the winning player’s texas hole.

General Poker Strategy
Hold’Em is essentially a high card game and players with two good crads in their texas hole have a better chance of holding the best game hand or forcing a draw after the turn of the flop. The best poker strategy is to play only the strong hands, which will be able to stand possibly even multiple raises in early positions.

Medium cards, nines, eights and sevens, should only be played in later positions and with a reasonably good chance of meeting the flop at reasonably acceptable cost.

With this poker strategy, strong high hands should be played, aggressively. As many raises as possible should be taken to thin out the competion and enhance winning chances.

A poker strategy of playing aggressively before a flop can also add a certain amount of credibility to strong play if a rubbish flop falls and the player wants to try and steal the pot. Players should equally be prepared to fold a high pair texas hole if lots of action occurs after a threatening flop.

The best starting hands to use within this poker strategy include pairs of the high cards, Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks or Tens; suited combinations of Aces with Kings, Queens, Jacks or Tens; suited combinations of facecards, such as King and Queen, King and Jack or Queen and Jack and any combination of Ace and King.

Medium strength hands to preferably only be used in late positions of this poker strategy include suited facecard with Tens combinations, like King/ Ten, Queen/ Ten or Jack/ Ten of any particulat suit; medium pairs, including pairs of nines, eights or sevens; a combination of two unsuited high cards, not including Ace/ King as this ranks as a strong hand in any poker strategy, and suited connectors, such as Jack/ 9, 10/9, 10/8, 9/8, 9/7 and so on, down to the 7/5.

There are other starting hands which, under certain conditions, are acceptable within this poker strategy. Having one of the above combos in the texas hole, however, definitely presents the best chances.

Free Poker, Taking the Worry out of Playing
There are millions of people who would love to have a game of poker or two, but are either unwilling or unable to take the risk of losing large amounts of money. Others simply do not wish to have to go through downloading heaps of necessary downloads.

They will be pleased to find that there are actually quite a few free poker sites offering occasional players a chance to have a go without having to take out expensive memberships, download things or even play for money.

As with everything else one may choose to look for, these free poker sites can be located quite easily by simply typing free poker into the search bar of one’s browser. While some sites allow players to upgrade to paid for games, others are simply there for practice or simple enjoyment.

Several of these free poker sites offer players an opportunity to play for points, taking the stress of worrying about potential financial losses out of the game and consequently allowing for a much more relaxed, carefree atmosphere.

Occasional players and frequent, serious players alike take advantage of these sites to either enjoy a relaxed game as a matter of fun and socialising with like-minded people or to practise their skills for future, more important games.

The advantages of such free poker sites are obvious and players will appreciate the opportunities of playing against perhaps more advanced players within a safe setting.

Free Poker Websites
Potential players should, however, look out for the variations between the many sites on offer. While it is actually possible to have a free, hassle free game without any downloads or money involved at the Poker Practice site, many other sites will offer a choice of downladable settings requiring membership and so-called free online game rooms including play for money games.

The Free Poker Room, for instance, offers an online facility to play without money, although it appears that rules may be slightly different (and should therefore be checked out before starting to play), while tempting players with low level money games on their downloadable tables.

247 Free Poker also offers free poker games of varying types, including a selection of normal, hard, expert and multi-player Texas Hold’Em games. Other possibilities offered here include various video poker games of Jacks or Better, Tens or Better and Deuces Wild.

Many other sites offering free poker games, like FreePoker (org), for instance, do require initial registration, something not every potential player will appreciate.

PokerStars offers tutorials as well as free poker games, practice tournaments and access to free tournaments, but does require a download and, by the look of things, membership.

Another Free poker site, FreePoker (com), a US based set-up, requires people to register, but is free and offers live, money free games as well as flash games to players.

Games, on the other hand, offers a whole range of free poker games without registration. Options include practice, low or high stake games and tournaments.

It becomes clear that the list of choices is endless, and all potential players will have to do is have a look at a few sites, pick the site that is most suitable to their personal requirements, sign-on if so required and sit back to enjoy a relaxing, no money and no worry game of free poker. What more could a poker player’s heart possibly wish for?

The largest ever live poker tournament, which was followed by enthusiasts around the world, was held in the year 2006. The Main Event WSOP featured a staggering 8,773 players. Jamie Gold, the final winner of this tournament, went home with a $12 million first price.

Being able to win such a huge tournament obviously involves a lot of luck, as the cards players are dealt in each game simply can not be predicted. There is, however, also a significant level of skill involved, enabling the best players to ultimatlely win more than less skilled opponents.

The fickle element of luck, however, makes it possible for anyone with a chair and a chip to beat even the best, which makes poker tournaments so very attractive.

The Poker Tournament

While cash games can often continue indefinitely, poker tournaments start at a specific time, involve players buying tickets to take part and all players starting at the set time with equal numbers of chips.

Players continue untl they have lost all their chips. A pre-determined number of finishing players, usually around a tenth of the starting numbers, receive a pay-out, decreasing down the line. Players below the last paid spot leave with only a story to tell.

Poker tournaments are different from ring or cash games in several ways. Apart from the abillity to cash-out of re-buy whenever convenient, the blinds in poker tournaments increase according to a pre-set schedule. This makes tournaments very diferent form cash games, where players are able to dictate their personal playing pace.

Stack sizes equally represent a major difference. Cash games tend to have verysimilar sized stacks, while in a tournament, some players may amass very large stacks, while other have a couple of chips or even a single chip left at their disposal.

Stack Sizes in Poker Tournaments
Players hoping to be successful in tournaments need to learn and understand how to bet and play with a variety of stack sizes. In other words, they need to know how to bet and play depending on both the stage the poker tournament has reached and the current size of their own stack.

Obviously, the more chips a player has, the more he can take a risk with his bet and play choices. For instance, if the stack consists of 60,000 chips, the player may safely bet and play with five or six thousand chips, but it would be madness to bet and play the same amount of chips if the stack consisted of 7,000 chips.

What players have to understand and remember at all times is that their chips equal their tournament life. Once the chips are all gone, their tournament life is over.

There are basically three stages to a poker tournament. The early stage, in which players are at their most comfortable, everyone has reasonably large stacks in comparison to blinds and only the most aggressive players play large pots. Most players, however simply try to get through this stage by playing relatively safe and tight, ensuring at least average stacks for the next stage.

The poker tournament’ s middle stage usually starts with relatively large stacks compared to the blinds, while ending in much smaller stacks. Chips are now beginning to get much more valuable, as each new round of blinds is a step closer to the possibility of elimination.

Players are more likely to bet and play with a view to stealing the blinds here. Many will bet and play with seemingly mad amounts, trying to stay in the game.

The late stage of a poker tournament is the one where everyone is prepared to take risks. Players will now bet and play very aggressively, often risking everything in order to win.

It is, however, still counted as an important game in the world of poker in general, with many card rooms and tournaments still offering it as an option. This intricate game, involving many details, is also enjoyed at home by many players.

Seven-Card Stud Basic Information
The game can be played in two variations, namely high only, which means the highest hnand will win, or high-low, often designated simply as hi-lo, which means that the winniings are split between the highest and lowest hands of the game.

There are also variations in betting limits. Some prefer to play at the so-called set limit, where a betting limit is pre-determined. Others choose to play with what is known as the pot limit, where players can bet an amount equal to what happens to be in the pot whenever they are due to place a bet.

There can be a maximum of eight players in a game of Seven-card stud. If all players make it through to the end, there is a possibility that not enough cards will remain. This is particularly the case if the dealer discards, or burns, a card before dealing to active players. On these rare occasions, a community card available for the use of all players is turned instead of dealing cards to each player.

Playing Seven-Card Stud

Before the cards are dealt, each player must place an ante. Every player is then dealt two cards facing down, known as the hole cards, a card facing up. The player holding the lowest card facing up, with Aces counting as high, then starts betting with the so-called bring-in bet, which must be at the very least the minimum agreed upon before play started.

Play then continues clockwise. Each player in turn either calls, meaning they equal the previous bet, raises the bet or states bet fold, which means they resign from the game.

Once the first round of betting has been completed, players that have not resigned with bet fold are dealt a fourth, face up card. From here onward, the player having the highest visible hand starts betting actions.

For instance, if the highest hand of cards showing consists of a pair, this player has a choice of checking, meaning he declines to bet, placing a bet or stating bet fold. As there is no required bring-in after the first round, players have no need to bet fold until a bet has been made.

Once a bet has been placed, each remaining player in turn has to call, raise or bet fold. It is actually possible for all players to check, resulting in a round where no bets are placed.

A fifth face up card is then dealt, followed by betting round, a sixth, face up, card and another betting round. The last, seventh card is then dealt face down and is followed by a final round of calls, raises or bet folds.

Memory is a skill more important in Seven-card stud than in any other poker game. All of the best Seven-card stud players have the ability to remember what cards players who folded had showing. This is important as it allows players to work out which possibly helpful cards may still be in the game.

Other important skills in Seven-card stud poker include the reading of players, hands, patterns in betting, calculating odds and selecting the right kind of starting hands to play.

The best starting hands in Seven-card stud include a pair of Aces face down and a third ace showing; other high pairs in the hole coupled with the highest showing card, etc.

Learning to recognise the best starting hands, say, for Texas Hold’Em poker, one of the most frequently played games poker has on offer, will make the game altogether more enjoyable and should not be dismissed easily.

There are many players out there who look at their starting hands with misguided theories, such as, for instance, the belief that if the cards are of the same suit it has to be a good thing. To be perfectly honest, if a suited hand increases one’s winning chances at all, it will only be by an average of about 3%, nothing much worth relying on.

Although there are obviously some disagreements among varying players as to what really constitutes the best starting hands, partly depending on each individual player’s style and skill level, most players will agree that the hands detailed below are usually not at all to be sniffed at.

One should, of course, remember that in some games poker players find that even the best starting hands may turn sour if the wrong kind of community cards are turned up. This, of course, is the luck of the game and the real skill of a player will be proven by what happens next.

Winning Games Poker Starting Hands

Here are the ten best starting hands, at least according to a large proportion of poker players, one could possibly be dealt. The hands are listed in order of priority, or in other words, the best hand is first, then the second best and so on.

Known often as pocket rockets, or occasionally referred to as American Airlines, a set of two Aces is the best possible hand a player could have to start with. A great many of the games poker players start with this hand are ultimately won by them.

This is followed by another pair, this time of Kings, often called King Kong or cowboys by players, as the second best hand to get dealt. This is another starting hand in games poker players have a good chance of winning.

The top trio of excellent starting hands in games poker players like to see is completed by a pair of ladies, as many poker players will call them, namely Queens.

The next promising combination is the so-called big slick, consisting of a suited Ace and King combination. This is one of the first hands dealt in games poker players disagree on.

Number five in this list of best starting hands is the little slick or big chick, depending on who is playing, which consists of a suited Ace/ Queen combination.

The sixth favourite hand in games poker players can do quite a lot with is the hand known as hooks, otherwise known as fishhooks, which consists of two Jacks.

The royal couple, a suited King and Queen combination, is number seven on the list of hands in games poker players feel they may have a good chance of winning.

Among the ten best starting hands listed here, the number eight is represented by the so-called blackjack, or ajax, a suited combination of an Ace and a Jack.

Another kind of big slick, or an Ace/ King combination, is the unsuited coupling of the two cards; number nine and the only not suited combination that does not consist of a pair within this list.

The final one in this list of best starting hands is generally known as the dimes. It consists of two Tens, making it the only hand of non-face cards to make it into the list.

It should be mentioned that in many games poker players prefer to see King/ Jack combinations rather than Tens.