How to Play Poker - Tips for Beginners

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By Desula
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I've been playing poker since I was 8 years old. Various forms of poker, my best friend Kevin and I would play Dr. Pepper Poker. In my early 20's I would play poker for money. My biggest pot was on a long round of Acey-Ducey.

No matter what form of poker you're playing you need to keep something to start with.

This article is for the beginning poker player.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Deck of cards
Someone to play cards with

Step 1

POKER - THE BASICS

If you are playing poker, you are aiming for the best hand you can get from your 5 cards. Even if you are playing 7 Card Stud or Texas Hold 'Em, you've got 5 cards to make your hand.

So right here - there is no such thing as 3 pairs in poker.
Step 2

POKER - THE ODDS

Poker is a game of odds. You are looking for the best possible hand that you can get.

The very best hand you can get is a ROYAL FLUSH - out of 649,739 hands of poker you play, odds are you may get one. That is 5 cards, of the same suit - Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10.

A STRAIGHT FLUSH is a little more common - out of 72,193 hands, you may get one. That is 5 cards, of the same suit in order.

FOUR OF A KIND odds are 4,164 to 1.

Full HOUSE odds are 694 to 1.

FLUSH (5 cards of the same suit) - 508 to 1.

STRAIGHT (5 cards in a row, combined suits) - 254 to 1.

THREE OF A KIND - 46 to 1.

2 PAIR - 20 to 1.

1 PAIR - 2.5 to 1

***This information was based on 5 card poker, no wild cards.
Step 3

POKER - THE GAME

If you're a beginning poker play grab a few friends, even amount of poker chips and start playing.

Play for fun, and practice your "poker face" and "bluffing". These skills will help you later on. Try to assemble the hands mentioned in step 2.
Step 4

POKER - A GAME OF SKILL OR LUCK?

Poker is a combined game of skill and luck!! If you are dealt 4 diamonds off the bat - it's not skill that will get you that 5th diamond to make a flush, that's luck.

There's a saying from my family (of gamblers and card players) - "I'd rather be lucky than good."

But it is so important to practice playing. It is skill that can allow you to bluff people to giving you the pot.
Step 5

POKER - IT'S FUN

I don't play poker for money anymore, but I do play for fun. It's a good game and way to spend time with friends. Play it and enjoy it. Don't forget - THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS 3 PAIRS.

Comments

LissaK said

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on 2/16/2009 If only I could, but this is a great article. I should be able to use these tips! ^.^

motherNN said

on 2/15/2009 We learned as kids and played for bottle caps :)

veryirie said

on 2/9/2009 Thanks for these beginner tips for playing Poker; I need to practice the game AND the poker face. Thanks! :)

slphilbrick said

on 2/7/2009 I already rated this, but wanted to come back and comment.......great basics on learning the game of poker!

(PS: every Sunday we have a "friendly home game" of NL Texas Hold 'em. Would love to have you !)