Common Rules
Most variations of poker conform to a standard hand ranking to determine the value of a winning hand. Noteable variations to this chart include any variations where a low hand has greater showdown value than a high hand (In particular Razz and High/Low variations).
- Royal Flush - 10, J, Q, K and an Ace all of the same suit.
- Straight Flush - Any sequential 5 cards of the same suit.
- Four of a kind - Four cards of the same number or face card value.
- Full House - Three of a kind and an additional one pair hand.
- Flush - Any five cards of the same suit.
- Straight - Any 5 cards in sequence.
- Three of a kind - 3 cards of the same number or face card value.
- Two Pair - Two distinct single pairs.
- Pair - two cards of the same number or face card value.
- High Card - Any hand that does not meet any of the above is a high card hand with the value of your highest card.
Getting a Poker Hand Started
In poker games that involve a flop there are blinds that ensure players are not playing for free. Flop games include Texas Hold'em and Omaha. As the dealer's button goes around the table the two players to the left of the button post these blinds. The first players posts a small blind which is half of a small bet. The second player posts a big blind which equals the amount it will cost to see a flop if nobody raises. Each hand these blinds as well as the dealer's button will move one spot to the left.
In stud games all players are required to make an ante. An ante is usually 10-25% of a small bet. In $1/$2 this would be $.10-$.25. In addition to an ante the player that shows the worst possible card makes a forced bet called a bring in. In any stud game involving a high this would be a 2. In Razz this would be a king since Razz is a lowball game. Any player that wishes to see the next card must call or raise the bring in as it is a forced call.
