Simple Poker Games
The success of televised poker competitions has created a rush of new people interested in learning the game, but the variant of poker commonly played in those competitions -- Texas hold 'em -- can have a steep learning curve. Thankfully, there are dozens of variations on the game of poker and most are simpler than Texas hold 'em. If you are just learning the game, it's better to start with one of the less challenging versions.
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Blind Man's Bluff
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Blind Man's Bluff is probably the simplest poker variation, but still enjoyable enough that it's a regular side game at many tables. Each player is dealt a single card face down. After all cards are dealt, each player lifts the card -- without looking -- and holds it against his or her forehead, facing out. Play goes around the table, starting with the player to the dealer's right. As in other poker games, players "call" to meet the current bet, "fold" to leave the game -- abandoning any money already bet -- or "raise" to increase the current bet. The round continues until all players either fold or match the highest bid. The cards are revealed and the player with the highest card wins. Should players tie, they split the "pot" -- all money bet in that round.
Five-Card Draw
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Some might argue that Blind Man's Bluff isn't real poker, so five-card draw is actually the simplest version. Every player in the round must ante, or add a starting bet, to the pot before receiving cards. Dealer choose the ante, normally a trivial amount to prevent players from folding all hands until they receive a good one. Players should still fold hands with no chance of winning, but the ante does result in more hands being played through. After players receive five cards, a round of betting takes place. As soon as players remaining in the game have bet, they're allowed to draw some new cards. Generally, players can only draw three, but can take a fourth if they're prepared to prove their highest card is an ace. House rules, however, often allow exchanges of more or fewer cards. After each player discards, there's a final round of betting. Anyone left at the end shows his or her cards and takes the pot.
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Five-Card Stud
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Five-card stud is a slightly more complex poker game. Each player begins with one card face down and one face up. The first round of betting starts with the player showing the best card, after which another card is dealt face up and there's another round of betting. Players receive cards until each has five: one secret and four visible. When the last round of betting ends, each player reveals the hidden card and the best hand takes the pot. It's normal for most to fold as they see other players' cards, leaving only one or two in the game.
Guts
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Guts is a short -- but intense -- poker game. Play begins with each player adding a small ante to the pot and receiving two cards face down. There's no round of betting; players simply declare, based on how likely they feel they are to win, that they're "in" or "out." Players who bow out sacrifice their ante, but nothing else. Players who stay in show their cards. The highest pair wins. If no player has a pair, then the highest top card -- the one dealt first -- wins. If more than one player has the same top card, the highest second card wins. The pot is split among those who tie. Each loser must start the new pot by matching the entire amount in the previous pot. The pot grows quickly this way and as the game progresses, it's increasingly risky to stay in.
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