How to Play Casino Poker

How to Play Casino Poker, rules and regulations

Hollywood has glorified it, Mel Gibson in his role as the "Maverick" excelled in it and Vegas has won a name for itself because of it. Synonymous with lady luck, poker has this uncanny ability of stupefying the smartest into disbelief and blessing a man who least expects her to. Knowing the game of poker before playing it is absolutely essential. Otherwise you will be flirting with fire. Just like many other lessons in life learning poker too involves quite a few steps. A greenhorn should never play with a seasoned pro or a hustler for he is not going to stand a chance against them. Some casinos have lesson tables where a dealer teaches people, who are new to the game, the tricks of the trade. People can also watch players play the game. The game can be addictive only if you know how to play casino poker.

7 Card stud: know hand ranking before playing casino poker
In this type of poker, seven cards are dealt to each of the players. The players, however, choose five best cards from it on the merit of which they place their bet. The person with the highest ranking of the hand wins. The ranking is as follows:

• Royal flush: 10 thru Ace straight, all same suit.
• Four of a kind.
• Full house- Three cards of one value and two of another.
• Flush- Five cards of the same suit but not in the numerical sequence.
• Straight- Five cards in sequence, multiple suits.
• Three of a kind.
• Two pair.
• One pair.
• High card.

Game of casino poker: know how to play it
Each of the players are given three cards, the first two of them are given face down while the third is dealt face up. The distribution and betting goes on in a counter clockwise manner. After judging the merit of the hand the betting starts with the person who has the lowest value of the face up card. If a player at any time feels that his hand is not promising enough can quit by putting all the cards face down and pushing it towards the dealer. Those who wish to continue, place their bets before their cards and after the betting is completed the dealer puts the chips in a pot. In the second round one more card is dealt to the players face up and one more round of betting takes place from the very beginning. The third and the fourth round are played in similar manner. Each player now has six cards. In the fifth round one more card is given face down. The player then chooses the best five cards among the seven that they have. The final round of betting is done. Once the betting is completed all the players show their hands. The dealer decides the winner and pushes the pot of chips after taking the home cut.

It is always better to fold rather than trying your luck on a questionable hand. It is also not an intelligent move to raise bet on a strong hand drastically which might scare other players into folding. It is also very risky to take on hustlers without knowing properly how to play casino poker.