How the Betting Goes
Suppose the amount of the Small blind is $2,000 and the Big Blind is $4,000. The dealer has just dealt two card game to each player. He has not dealt any community cards yet. The player sitting to the immediate left of the Big Blind is the first person to act. He has to match the size of the Bigs Blinds (call) if he wants to play poker his cards. In this example, $4,000 is the least that he can bet in order to play the hand. If he wants to raise, he must be at least $8,000 (double the amount of the Big Blind). He also can raise any amount up to the number of chips he has in his possession. For example, if he has $80,000 in front of him, he can raise to $30,000 by announcing "Raise to $30,000. " Or he can bet his entire $80,000 by announcing "All in. " A player who does not have enough chips to call the minimum bet can still play the hand by putting understanding in all the chips he has left. For instance, if he only has $3,000 in chips, he can call with everything he has By announcing "All in. " At the end of the fourth betting round, the player with the best hand winning poker all the chips in the middle of the table (the pot). If a player loses all of his chips in a cash game, he can reach into his pocket and put more gaming money on the table. But if he loses all his chips in a tournament poker game, he is eliminated from action and must vacate his seat unless he goes Broke during the rebuy period of a rebuy tournament.
Deciding How Much to Bet
It is often hard to understand why players Bet a certain amount of chips. Are there some holdem poker guidelines to help new players decide how much to bet? As a general rule, when you are the first person to enter the pot, we suggest that when you raise, you bet three to four times the size of the big blind. Sometimes you bet more than this, and other times you should bet all of your chips (move-in). We have included a betting chart on pages 60-61 to help you decide the correct amount to bet introduction.
The Types of Hands to Play
In no-limit holdem, big pairs and high low poker cards rule. Two aces, two kings, two queens, two jacks, and A-K are premium hands. You would like to have a pair in your hand and then see one of your rank come on the flop. If you have two queens in your hand and a queen comes on the flop, you have made three three queens to start with (a set). Or, if you have the A?K? and three clubs come on the flop, you have flopped a flush, which is the best possible hand (the nuts). If you have the A?K? and the J?4?8? come on the flop, you have the nut flush draw. Then if another club comes on the turn or river, you will make the nut flush. You might also flop a pair. Suppose the flop comes K?6?4? and you are holding the A?K?.
You would have top pair two kings with an ace kicker and the nut flush draw, which is a very powerful glossary hand.
Other hands are also playable under the right circumstances, but the above mentioned premium hands are the ones that you would prefer determining playing.