Page 1 of Best way to learn Poker?

Brother has just bought a poker set, and we don`t know how to play it. I`ve got a small book, and we have a basic understanding, but aren`t 100% clear. I presume there are some poker players on here - so what`s the best way to learn?

Thanks in advance!

Draw or Stud?
In general the hands go...
high (like Jack high - your highest card)
pair
two pair
prial (3 of a kind)
run (5 consecutive cards eg 7,8,9,10,J)
flush (5 of the same suit)
3 + 2 (3 of a kind and a pair)
4 of a kind
running flush (5 cards in succession of the same suit - VERY rare..)

Ste

This item was edited on Saturday, 30th July 2005, 17:03

These days most people think of `texas hold`em` when they talk about poker, as this is what you see most on tv etc. I actually went to (free) lessons at my local casino for a few weeks, before embarking on an online career! That said there are loads of books etc, and many online casinos have `how to play` sections. I find the best way to learn is to play. If you have any specific questions, i may be able to answer them, but i can`t be bothered to write a how to play guide here!



...look into my eyes

Thanks for the help.

Well I`m not looking for a `how to` - just what the best way to learn is.

Could you possibly give tips on starting the game? Am I right in thinking the player to the left of the dealer places the first blind, and the next person along doubles the blind BEFORE the game begins?

For Texas Holdem, which is the game of the moment, its very easy to pick up by watching on TV. If youve got SkySports, PokerMillion on Tuesday nights can be a bit slow, but goes through a "how to play" guide each week. I think ITV have just started their own Celebrity poker show but I dont know how much info they give. Plenty of other poker shows on various sky channels but dont know if any of them are worth looking at.

Once youve got an idea of the basics, sign up for one of the online poker sites - but make sure its one that offers "free play" tables to give you a chance to learn...without losing any money... you`ll pick it up very quickly but there is always more to learn about strategy etc.

yep. The guy to the left posts the `blind` and the guy to his left posts the `big blind` which is double the `blind` BEFORE any cards are dealt. The blind amounts are up to you, but to keep the game moving, it is often advisable to keep increasing them, say every 10 minutes or every 5 hands etc.

The first 2 `hand` cards are then dealt to each player, and he other players (starting with the player to the left of the one that posted the small blind) then must match the big blind amount ("call") in order to play in that hand, otherwise they must fold. Any player can raise if they wish, but in order for the game to proceed everbody must have the same size bet on the table. When all players have bet or folded (including the player who posted the blind, and must match the big blind to stay in) then the player who posted the big blind can either raise or call, if they call they lay no more money and the first 3 communal cards (the flop) are layed on the table, and then the betting commences again, but there are no blinds in these betting rounds (as the name suggests, it is an amount you have to bet without seeing any cards). After the hand is over, the dealer moves one player to the left and starts again. In theory each player will have to post a blind or a big blind every 6 - 8 hands, depending on the number of players.



...look into my eyes

This item was edited on Saturday, 30th July 2005, 17:48

I reckon the easiest way to learn is to go on one of the sites and play the games for free. I learnt initially on sites like Pacific Poker and Party Poker - and then once you`ve got a hang of the rules try entering some of the lower entry tournaments - I think the lowest ones are normally around £1 and they are more realistic than the play money tournaments (where everyone seems to go all in with 2 7). Once you start winning those on a regular basis then try entering higher valued tournaments - obviously the more it costs to buy-in, the better the quality of the opposition.

Hope that helps - try not to get too addicted!

If you have a online dvd rental account or you could rent/buy a dvd called `Poker for Dummies` hosted by chris Moneymaker. It teaches you how to play via a visual guide which always helps.

Okay - this is brilliant help everyone - thankyou!

@ Uncharged Water - thanks for the great explanation. Cleared up a few things for me. :D

What happens when a player puts all of his/her chips in?

And if that person does that, and you can`t match the amount they`ve put down - what happens then?

And if that person does that, and you can`t match the amount they`ve put down - what happens then?

It gets complicated. In theory, if someone goes `all in` against ONE other player, then if they match the bet, all betting finishes, and any remaining cards are dealt (without further betting - it maybe someone goes all in on just their 2 hand cards, in which case all 5 table cards are laid in one hit), with the winner taking the pot. If you can`t match them, but you also go `all in` then the same thing happens.

The problem arises if there are more than 2 players betting. EG Frank goes all in for 100, Tom Matches (he has 300 chips left) but Betty decides to Raise the 100 to 200. Tom can obviously match the increase, but Frank can`t. So bettys 100, toms 100 and franks 100 all go into the main pot, and bettys extra 100 and toms extra 100 go into a side pot. If tom or betty wins, they get the main pot and the side pot but if Frank wins, then he gets the main pot and the other 2 share the 200 in the side pot (eg get their money back). I think. It can get more complicated...if in the above example betty matched but raised 400 then tom couldn`t match, but could go all in, and then a third side pot would be created, and if more than 3 players are involved then I give up. I think the principle is that you cannot win a pot in which you have had no input at all.

I tend to play online at paddy power which offers play for fun games with no money involved and also really cheap play tournaments, with a buy-in of as low as 5 cents (about 3p!) - there are essentially 2 ways of playing for money, either you play with money as chips eg a bet of 123 chips is a bet of £123 but the better way to play is a tournament, which is how i play both online and with friends - where for example everybody gives £10 and then gets 2000 chips in return. The last player standing wins the money (eg a 6 man game, winner would get £60, or maybe £50 with £10 to second place). Paddy Power also has a help site which may be of use at http://www.paddypowerpoker.com/gs_howtoplay.php

EDIT : this site looks very good!



...look into my eyes

This item was edited on Saturday, 30th July 2005, 19:43