RANK OF HANDS
POKER TERMS
All In
Indicates that all of the player’s money and chips that were on the table when the hand began have been placed in the pot. That player would remain eligible for that portion of the pot.
Ante
A stipulated amount put up by each player before the cards are dealt.
Blind Bet
A mandatory wager which must be posted by a player before the cards are dealt.
Board
The community cards in Hold’em games.
Buy-In
The minimum amount of cash and/or chips required to enter a game.
Cap
The last allowed raise during the current betting round.
Check
Choosing not to bet but reserving the option to remain in the action if other players bet. You may not check if a bet has been made ahead of you.
Check Raise
To check and then raise after someone else bets.
Community Card
A card placed face-up on the table to be shared by all players.
Force Bet
A mandatory bet (such as the pre-determined minimum bet which must be made by the players with the lowest ranking initial up card).
Side Pot
The pot built by the dealer when one player is all-in and two or more players continue to bet; a side pot is contested only between those players who put money into it.
GAMES
7 Card Stud
Generally, players will post their "antes" prior to each being dealt two (2) down cards and one (1) up card each followed by the initial round of betting, which is started with a "force bet. The initial betting round is followed by three (3) additional up cards being dealt one (1) at a time, with a betting round following each one. A final down card is then dealt followed by the last betting round. After the initial betting round, action is started by the player whose up cards form the highest ranking hand. If there is a tie in determining the highest ranking hand, the player with the tied hand sitting closest to the left of the Dealer, must start the action for that betting round.
On the first betting round of a "structured limit" game, any player, including the player required to make the force bet, may bet either the force amount or the lower structured amount for that betting round. Once the structured bet has been made, all calls and/or raises must be made by the structured bet amount.
In a structured game, if there is an open pair on the fourth card, any active player has the option of making a bet or raise at the higher limit. On the first betting round of a "spread limit" game, any player, including the player required to make the force bet, may bet any amount within the limits at any time. However all raises must be equal to or greater than the previous bet or raise, without exceeding the maximum dollar limit for that game.
7 Card Stud (High-Low, 8 or better)
This game is played in the identical manner as 7-Card Stud High-Low, however, there is a "Low" hand "qualifier" of "8 or Better" in place. In order to have a valid low hand, and thus qualify for the low portion of the pot, the best five (5) card low hand must contain five (5) unpaired cards less than nine (9). If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand will then win the entire pot.
Texas Hold'em
Texas Hold'em is a board game that uses a flat disc called a dealer button to determine who receives their cards first and where the action starts for each betting round. One or more "blind" bets are used to simulate action on the first betting round. The player closest to the left of the dealer button begins by posting a "small blind," which is approximately half of the minimum bet for the first betting round. The player seated to the left of the "small blind" posts a "large blind," which is equal to the minimum bet for the first betting round. A "blind" bet counts as all or part of a player's wager, and must be "posted" before you receive your cards, unless a specific game or situation dictates otherwise. Check and raise is allowed, with a maximum of three raises per betting round unless the action becomes "heads-up" (only two active players remaining) before a third raise is made, in which case there is no limit to the number of raises allowed between the two players. Players are dealt two down cards followed by a betting round. Action starts with the person to the left of the player who posted the "large blind. This betting round is followed by three cards being dealt face-up, simultaneously, in the center of the table. This is referred to as the "flop" and is followed by a betting round that starts with the first active player seated to the left of the button. Two additional cards are then turned face-up in the middle of the table, one at a time, with each followed by a betting round. In determining the value of your hand, you may use any combination of your two down cards and the five board cards to create a five-card poker hand, up to and including all five board cards. The standard ranking of hands applies.
Omaha
Omaha is a board game that uses a flat disc called a dealer button to determine who receives their cards first and where the action starts for each betting round. One or more "blind" bets are used to simulate action on the first betting round. The player closest to the left of the dealer button begins by posting a "small blind," which is approximately half of the minimum bet for the first betting round. The player seated to the left of the "small blind" posts a "large blind," which is equal to the minimum bet for the first betting round. A "blind" bet counts as all or part of a player's wager, and must be "posted" before you receive your cards, unless a specific game or situation dictates otherwise.
Check and raise is allowed, with a maximum of three raises per betting round unless the action becomes "heads-up" (only two active players remaining) before a third raise is made, in which case there is no limit to the number of raises allowed between the two players. Players are dealt four down cards followed by a betting round. Action starts with the person to the left of the player who posted the "large blind. This betting round is followed by three cards being dealt face-up, simultaneously, in the center of the table (referred to as the "flop"). Another betting round that starts with the first active player seated the left of the button follows. Two additional cards are then turned face-up in the middle of the table, one at a time, with each followed by a betting round. In determining the value of your five-card hand, you must use any two cards from your hand with any three cards from the board. The standard ranking of hands applies.
Omaha (High-Low, 8 or better)
This game is played in the identical manner as Omaha Hold'em High-Low, however, there is a "Low" hand "qualifier" of "8 or Better" in place. In order to have a valid "Low" hand, and thus qualify for the low portion of the pot, the best five (5) card low hand must contain five (5) unpaired cards less than nine (9). If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand will then win the entire pot.