In its simplest form, poker is really an easy game to understand. True, there are multiple versions of poker which have all been juxtaposed into the online format of the game. For the purposes of instruction let’s stick to the basics: The 5-Card Draw Poker.

The basics of poker are as follows:

• The game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards
• The ranking descends from Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9,8,7,6,5,4,3 to 2
• Aces are always high cards
• Suits are: Clubs, Spades, Hearts and Diamonds

Getting into it:

• 5 cards are dealt to each player
• Players aim for the highest valued hand

Ranking your hand in poker

• Royal Flush – 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, all the same suit
• Straight Flush – Five cards in numerical order, all of the same suit
• Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same numerical rank plus a random card
• Full House – Of five cards in your hand, three have the same numerical rank, and the two remaining have the same numerical rank
• Flush – Five cards of the same suit, regardless of rank
• Straight – Five cards in numerical order, regardless of their suits
• Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same numerical rank
• Two Pair – Two sets of pairs + a random card
• One Pair – A single pair + 3 random cards
• High Card – The highest card in the player’s hands wins in a face-off

Keeping a poker face

A big part of the poker experience and one which players revel in is the bluff. It’s simply a term for pretending to have or not have a certain hand. This requires an intimate knowledge of the game or an innate ability in the art of deception. There are many intricacies in poker such as knowing when to raise the bet, when to hold and when to fold. These techniques require patience and practice. Poker has been likened to a game of tremendous skill and isn’t simply a game of luck.

Claiming the pot

In a round of poker – whether it be online or bricks and mortar gambling – players will deposit money to buy into a game. Bets will be raised and those players who wish to fold will forfeit their bets and those who wish to continue may raise their bets. In the end the player with the best hand may reveal it to the remaining players in the final showdown. Then the player may claim the pot.

The reason that poker is more than a game of chance is that it goes with player expectations. If a player feels reasonably confident of his/her ability to bluff other players in order to gain a psychological edge, then a reasonable expectation would allow for a comparative advantage to such a player – regardless of the hand being held.

Remember that winning smaller amounts consistently is better than losing the big bucks – so stay away from high-limit gaming until you’re really skilled. Always pay attention to what other players are doing and be mindful of the cards on the table. Questions you should be asking include: ‘What would be the best hand to fit the flop?” and try to remember what cards have been folded before you calling your opponents.

It’s always best to play when you’re in a calm mood and not distracted by other things – it’s a game of skill, not emotions. If your online playing hand is really poor, you don’t have to keep throwing money into the pot, rather fold, there’ll be more hands to play. Bluffing is probably one of online poker’s best-known strategies, but learn when to bluff, how to bluff and why to bluff. It can be a powerful tool if employed correctly.