::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
:: Shorthand Game
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
|
|
Poker @ Home/Web
Most individuals begin playing poker in a relaxed home environment before moving to the online variety. Such home games are generally structured in simple way. Usually, each player antes particular amount ($0.25 perhaps) and the betting is set-up to have minimum and maximum bets. After the ante of $0.25, for example, the bets and raises may range between $0.25 and $2 each round.
The typical structure of home poker games is: ‘bet and call’, or maybe ‘bet, raise and call’. Most hands go to a showdown and normally the individual who has the hottest cards-not necessarily the one who's made the best plays-wins the biggest sum in the end.
Online poker, on the other hand, is considerably different from the poker one plays at home. Three major differences distinguish it: the ante structure, the betting arrangement and the competition. We think Internet poker is just as fun as home poker, if not MORE fun. However, it does take some time to get used to. Take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the three main differences we’ve described below:
Ante structure
First, unless you are playing Seven Stud, online poker doesn’t require an ante. The person to the left of the dealer must pay the small blind and the following person must pay the big blind. These are ‘forced bets’. All other players don’t need to bet anything in order to receive cards, but they must match the big blind or any raise to the big blind to see the flop.
So, in a typical game w/ 6 people and a small blind of $0.50 and a big blind of $1, the action could unfold as follows, pre-flop:
Player 1: Small blind, $0.50.
Player 2: Big blind, $1.
Player 3: Fold.
Player 4: Calls big blind, $1.
Player 5: Raises big blind, $2.
Player 6 (dealer): Fold.
Player 1: Fold.
Player 2: Calls raise, $1.
Player 3: Calls raise, $1.
The betting would then begin with the big blind, since the small blind folded, after the flop.
Betting structure
As well as a different ante structure, the betting arrangement is also different in online poker. The closest thing to the spread limit used often w/ private poker games at home is no-limit online poker. With no-limit games, there’s still a minimum bet, but the maximum bet is however many chips you've got in front of you.
There's a common myth in no-limit poker which says that you need to fold if someone bets more chips than you’re holding. Well, we're here to let you know that THAT'S NOT TRUE! If Tom bets $30 and you only have $15, you only have to put in $15 to call. Tom, in other words, is essentially only wagering $15 if you’re the only person in the pot.
But, if the pot is between Tom, Jane and you, and both Tom and Jane have $50, Jane must match Tom's bet of $30. My extra $15 bet would be placed in what's called a "side pot." Then, at the moment of the showdown, you would be in contention for $45 and Tom and Jane would be competing for the $45 plus the extra $30. If you have the best hand and Jane has the second-best hand, you would win $45 and she would take $30. However, if Jane's hand is better than yours, she’d win the whole $75.
Pot-limit poker is also related to no-limit poker so much as you can bet any amount from the minimum to the size of the pot itself.
Finally, limit poker represents the most popular kind of online poker. This game has fixed bets. So, in a $2-$4 game for example, the amount of the bets is $2 in the first 2 rounds and $4 in round 3 and after. Consider the following four-player, pre-flop illustration for a $2-$4 table:
Player 1: Check.
Player 2: Bet $2.
Player 3: Raise $2 (to $4).
Player 4: Call $4.
Player 1: Fold.
Player 2: Call $4.
The bets on the turn (four cards out) and the river (all cards out) now change the betting limit to the higher amount-$4. Now the action might unfold like this:
Player 2: Bet $4.
Player 3: Fold.
Player 4: Raise $4 (to $8).
Player 2: Call $4.
Competition
Finally, skill will take you much further online than dumb luck. Since the money exchanged if often more than just small change, people are actually really TRYING to win on the internet. In other words, you shouldn't just call to the river "to see what the other guy’s got.” Not a good idea. Instead, you should be as strategic as possible if you’re looking for long-term success. Playing your typical ‘home’ strategy may get you by at first, but it's doubtful to last for long when you’re up against some of the talent online. Keep your options open by doing your homework - learn as much strategy as possible.
|
|
