Instructions for Multiplayer Poker Games

A few basic supplies are needed to have a poker game at home.

Over the past 10 years, poker has gained immense popularity around the world. The most popular form of the game is called No Limit Texas Hold 'Em. While professional poker players play for millions of dollars, this multiplayer game is easily played at home for pennies or pretzels. Each hand in the game follows the same repetitive course of action with the position of the player first to act rotating clockwise around the table at the conclusion of each hand. The game is fairly simple to learn and play but, like chess and backgammon, contains advanced strategy beyond the simple rules of the game.

Things You'll Need

• Deck of playing cards (jokers removed)
• Table
• Dealer button
• Poker chips

Instructions

1. Begin by having all players select a seat. Each player should draw a card, with the highest card being the first dealer.

2. In Texas Hold 'Em, the two positions to the left of the dealer must post blind bets. The first player to the left is the small blind position, the second is big blind, which is double the amount of the small blind. Before cards are dealt, these players must post their blind bets.

3. Two cards are dealt to each player beginning with the small blind and ending with the dealer. This stage of betting is known as preflop. The first player to act here is one position to the left of the big blind. This position is known as under the gun.

4. The first round of betting occurs. Each player has the option to call (match the big blind), raise (increase the bet size) or fold (throw away his cards, ending his action until the next hand).

5. The dealer places one card face down and turns three face up. This is called the flop. Betting on this round begins with the closest player to the left of the dealer that has not folded.

6. After betting is completed the dealer places another card face down and turns a single card face up. This is called the turn card. Betting here proceeds in the same fashion as the flop.

7. One more card is placed face down and one more face up. The final round of betting proceeds in the same fashion as the flop and turn. At the end of the betting round, the remaining players must show their cards and the pot is awarded to the player with the best five-card hand.

Tips & Warnings

• If a bet causes all other players to fold, the player who made that bet wins the pot.

• This game can be played for free, simply using the chips to keep score. Be aware of laws governing poker in your area if you are considering playing for money.

References

• "Poker Listings": Texas Hold'em Rules and Game Play