How to Play Poker
The aim of the game is for one Player, using their best five card poker hand, to beat the other Players and win the pot. This is done by either having the highest ranking hand or by all the other Players folding.
The aim of the game is for one Player, using their best five card poker hand, to beat the other Players and win the pot. This is done by either having the highest ranking hand or by all the other Players folding.
There are many variations to poker, but only a few are permitted in Aspers poker room.
Two hole cards are dealt to each Player, followed by a round of betting. Three community cards are dealt face up (the flop) followed by another round of betting. Another card (the turn) is dealt, then the final community card (the river), each with a round of betting. The winning Player is the one with the best five card hand formed from any combination of their hole cards and community cards.
Each Player receives between four and six hole cards. The community cards are dealt as in Texas Hold’em, and the betting round follows the same process. The winning hand in Omaha is the best five card hand formed by two of the Player’s hole cards and three of the community cards. Other variations may be available, with rules posted in the poker room.
Each Player’s hand consists of the best five card combination of their hole cards and the community card, subject to the rules of different poker variations.
Royal flush
Straight flush
Four of a kind
Full house
Flush
Straight
Three of a kind
Two pair
One pair
No pair, ace high
Players can sign up for tournaments held in Aspers Poker Room. Each Player must pay a fee, known as a buy-in, and may also be required to pay an additional registration fee (which is 10% of the buy-in amount). Depending on the type of tournament, players may buy-in for a predetermined length of time. Tournaments are played with tournament chips having a points value. As players lose their chips they are eliminated from the tournament until a final table remains. These Players play for the prize money which consists of all buy-in and re-buys.
A single table tournament where 10 Players play on one table with one buy-in. These tournaments are played with tournament chips and last approximately one hour.
Players also have the option to play private cash games amongst themselves, with a Dealer supplied by Aspers. For this service, Aspers will charge a set fee per hour, or may take a percentage of each pot; full details of these charges are available in the Poker Room. For full details of how to get involved in either tournaments or Cash Games please see our Poker Room Supervisors.
Ante - A predetermined contribution to the pot, made before cards are dealt.
Betting Round - A complete cycle from the first person to bet, to the last person to call.
Blind (small & large) - forced bet placed before the first card is dealt.
Call - Placing a bet equal to the highest legal bet in the round or going all-in.
Check - Not initiating betting, but retaining the option to act if a subsequent bet is made.
Community cards - Card dealt face upwards which can be used by all players.
Flop - First three community cards.
Fold - To surrender a hand or refuse to call a bet.
Hole Cards - A player’s concealed cards.
Raise - A bet which exceeds the previous bet.
River - The 5th and final community card, also called 5th street.
Showdown - The revealing of each player’s hand in contention for the pot after the completion of all betting.
Turn - The 4th community card, also called 4th street.