Poker General Rules

The objective of poker is to win the pot. You can do this by having the best hand or by convincing the other players that you have the best hand and force them to drop out.

Poker Hands

A poker hand is made from the best arrangement of five cards and are ranked as follows, highest first:





Royal Flush - A-K-Q-J-10, all same suit




Straight Flush - Any five consecutive cards, all same suit





Four-of-a-Kind - Four cards, same value (eg. four 8's)





Full House - Three-of-a-Kind and a Pair





Flush - Any five cards of the same suit





Straight - Any five consecutive cards





Three-of-a-Kind - Three cards, same value





Two pair - Two cards-same value, twice





Pair - Two cards-same value, once

No Pair - Five dissimilar cards, mixed suits

Seven Card Stud

This game is one of the most detailed and complicated of all poker games because of the sheer number of hands that can be made from seven cards. In addition to its compexity, it can be a very expensive game, having five betting rounds, each involving potential raises and re-raises. Becase three cards are hidden, the other players' hands are difficult to compute. This adds to the game's volatility and the rollercoaster effects on your bankroll.
The game begins with each player being dealt two cards face down. These are called hole cards.A third card is dealt face up. In games with antes, the person with the highest face-up card starts the betting. He can make a wager or he can check (indicate he won't make a wager but will remain to see if anyone else bets) or he can fold. All players will ave the opportunity to match or raise the total bet as the play goes around the table. Or they can fold.

When the betting finishes, a second round is dealt face up. Now, the best two-card hand initiates the betting. Another round of raises and re-raises ensues.

A third round is dealt face up with the same procedure as before.

Now, a fourth round is dealt face up with the same procedure as before.

On the fifth round of play, the card is dealt face down. The final round of betting begins. All the remaining players now have four cards face up and three cards in the hole. The player has to make the best five-card poker hand out of his seven cards.