Introduction

There is a common saying among poker players, “If you can’t spot the sucker within the first half hour at the table, then you are a sucker”. This is quite true if you don’t know the game and make a fool out of yourself sitting at a table. Professional or a rookie, things will be easier if you get a sneak preview into the strategies of the casino game.

History

When it comes to poker there are references to “Pochspeil” a German term. But, the name “poker” comes from the French game “Poque”. It is said to be German though, as the players would make it evident that they either want to open or pass by saying “Ich Poche” during the deals. Deriving meaning from various countries ranging right from Chinese kings, to Persian, and then to it finally reached. The first written reference was seen in 1834 in Jonathan Green’s writings where he termed it as "the cheating game played on the Mississippi". Ever since, the game has found its place in every saloon of right from the Wild West days till today.

How Is Poker Played?

In uk Casinos, a player bets that the value of the cards he holds is greater than the other players'. As the game progresses, each player raises the bet or chooses to drop out. The only player left when the other players have “folded” or dropped out wins, even if he has a lower hand than the other players on the table. Or, the player who holds the best hand at showdown could win. The first contribution or bet to the pot by all the players before a hand is dealt is called the ante. Similarly, the blind is the bet done on common agreement over the amount to be used in the casino game; it can be called a forced ante made to the left of the table.

Forms of poker-

• Standard Poker: Face down deals of all cards of the standard 5-card hand.


• Stud Poker: Face up deals of some and not all the player’s cards.


• Community-Card Poker: Players form a best hand by exposing only some cards.


• Draw Poker: Additional cards could be drawn and some discarded, it is the main feature of straight casino poker.
  
  The hand rankings determine the winner:


• Straight Flush :(five cards in sequence of the same suit- Highest sequence, the Royal Flush The king, queen, jack, ten)


• Four of a kind or Quads: Four cards of same rank


• Full House (a pair and three of a kind) also called as Boat or Full Boat.


• Flush (five of a single suit)


• Straight (five in sequence)


• Three of a kind also called as Trips


• Two pair or deuce


• One pair. (Lowest)
  
  Lowball
  
  The ranking is reversed and surprisingly, the player with the lowest hand takes the pot. Types Of Lowball
  
  ·         California Lowball: The lowest hand is A-2-3-4-5 and the Flushes and Straights do not count.
  
  ·         Kansas City Lowball: The lowest hand is 2-3-4-5-6 of differing suits as it counts the flushes and straights but does not allow the use of the Ace.