In the second part of my learn how to play poker for beginners free online poker course we're moving on from the basic game structure outlined in part one.
Where part 1 simply outlined how the game works, in this part you'll learn exactly what you do action by action in a real hand and at the end will be able to go play.
To begin, the action starts as the blind bets are laid by the Small and Big Blinds (SB and BB). Now the cards get into action. If you are not sure what is meant by blind bets, small and big blind then you need to go back to part one of the guide for a definition.
Moving clockwise around the table from the Dealer (DB), each player receives two cards dealt face down, one card at a time. These are also called Pocket Cards or hole cards.
Now the betting begins; and, after all, isn't that why you decided to take up the game of poker? Isn't that why you've entered the multi-table freeroll tournament in the first place? The whole betting and winning with it's associated moves of dare and deception is the main reason you've joined that online poker site be it free online poker or massive stakes isn't it?
Of course it is, the game of poker is all about winning money! With the possible exception of the social side anyway, the table and lobby conversations though if you are at all serious about money then this is a very minor reason.
At this point in the hand (holding 2 pocket cards), each player is betting on what hand they feel their pocket cards could lead to.
The betting begins with the player to the immediate left of the Big Blind (BB).
This player is often referred to as the 'Under The Gun' (UTG) position at the table. He's given the UTG label primarily because the Small Blind and Big Blind players were forced to put up bets prior to receiving any cards.
Thus, both the SB and BB are already taking part in the hand; albeit not voluntarily, at least not yet; they'll have to wait until the betting comes around to them.
And, for this round of betting, each player has three choices:
1) To fold. Usually when they think that their pocket cards are garbage (or rags). By folding in this first round you won't lose anything but nor can you play the rest of the hand.
2) To raise. You raise if you think you've got good cards.
3) Or you can call to match the Big Blind bet. Usually when they think that their pocket cards hold some potential.
A 4th option you may have heard of, checking, often available in subsequent betting rounds, isn't an option at this stage.
When the betting reaches the person who posted the Small Blind (SB), if they want to fold then they'll lose the chips they were forced to put into the pot prior to the cards being dealt. Or, this player can call the Big Blind (by simply putting up the difference between the Small Blind and the Big Blind). Or as SB you can choose to Call whatever Raise has been made, make a new Raise or Re-raise the bet amounts to a new level, I advise you watch and learn this process at the start and as SB keep it simple and just Call the BB unless you have awful cards in which case fold them.
Then, the Big Blind (BB) player gets to act. If no raise has taken place, he has the option of either checking (opting to do nothing; thus telling the Dealer to proceed), or, he has the option of calling a raise, or initiating a raise; or even a re-raise.
About Raises
As this is a No Limit Texas Hold Em tournament, the amount of any one raise is only limited by the number of chips the player who is doing the raising is in possession of. If his stack of chips is 1,500, he's allowed to raise by any amount up to and including the 1,500 (all of his chips).
Should he opt to make a 1,500 chip bet, it would be called an All-In bet. Any time a player raises with all their chips it is called Moving All-in.
And, of paramount importance, especially since you're at the how to play poker for beginners level of the game, make certain that YOUR use of an All-In bet is minimal.
Please try not to become just one more free online poker 'chip-flinger' (someone who tosses chips around without regard to the quality of their cards).
Once the opening round of betting is completed it's time to see 'The Flop'. Things will now start to get really interesting!
The Flop is the set of three cards that are dealt face up in the center of the table by the Dealer.
1) Each player can use these community cards' to build their hand. Make sure to read and print a guide to what card hands beat what so that you have a feel for what you are trying to build!
2) Again, as here-to-fore mentioned, the middle of the table where these cards are dealt is commonly known as 'The Board'.
3) With 'The Flop' exposed, it's time for another round of betting. And, the betting that will occur is based on the 5 cards now available to each player, i.e., 2 Pocket cards and 3 Board' cards.
The betting begins with the player to the immediate left of the Dealer Button, regardless of whether the Dealer is still active in the hand or not.
The player to the left of the Dealer Button will keep the initial betting action throughout the hand. Later, you'll come to learn that this is the worst position to be in at the table.
Apart from that, the betting process is the same as it was in 'pre-flop' betting. However, bear in mind, all of the players who have been dealt 'Pocket' cards may not be currently playing the hand as they could have folded during the opening round of betting.
So, whichever remaining player is 'to the immediate left' of the Dealer Button (DB), it is that person who will be the first player to act; through the hand providing he doesn't fold.
He can check or bet.
A) If he checks, he's simply passing the choices of checking or betting to the player who sits to his left.
B) If he doesn't check, and decides to bet, then those that follow will have 3 choices:
1) They can fold
2) They can call
3) Or they can raise. But, since a bet was made, those that follow do not have the option of 'checking'.
Once the round of betting has finished, it's time for another card to be dealt face up on The Board.
This fourth card is called The Turn card, or 4th Street, and, again, the card may be used by all of the remaining players (those players that have not folded). It's another 'community card'.
Thus, each remaining player now has use of 6 cards, 4 Board cards, and 2 Pocket cards. There are 4 cards on The Board, one additional card to come.
It is now time for the fifth and final community card to be dealt: The River, or 5th Street.
And, given that all the cards have now been dealt, each player remaining in the hand can see what their best five card hand is. Therefore, it's now time for the final round of betting. And, when the betting ends, the hand is over.
It's time to see who wins.
Each player who has remained in the hand shows their cards, beginning with the last person to initiate a bet. At a cash or free online poker site the software will handle the process of showing the cards.
The winner is determined via use of the universal poker hand rankings. You'll find that in subsequent chapter; entitled 'What Beats What'.
If a player wins a pot because every other player has folded, he can decide whether or not to show his cards or not.
Most people don't, and it's generally advised by me never to show your cards. If you're not required to do so; keep 'em guessing!
Yet, when you reach an 'advanced level' of play, you will get a whole different perspective from me. You see, there are times when 'deceitful strategies' will be added to your acquired set of playing skills. And, a part of the 'deceitful strategies' will have you showing your cards. Not now though.
Summing up How To Play Poker For Beginners Free Online Poker Rules Part 2
In part 1 you learned the bare bones of poker, the structure and concepts of the game. Now that you've read part 2 you should now understand the actual mechanics of a hand of poker. In part 3 we are going to move on to more poker words and terminology, those crazy card and hand nicknames are going to be unveiled! But as long as you've understood the first 2 parts now you can go and start to play poker. However I do advise you read up on what cards beat what first! Then you will have some sort of idea whether you should fold, call, raise or check!
At this stage I strongly urge you not to attempt to play on sites where real money is involved, you cannot help but lose all or nearly all of it 99% certain!
Show patience (incidentally that is a key poker skill it's essential to master) and start out on one of the excellent free poker sites you can find online. Later when you're more skilled there's plenty of time to win a pile of cash and the time you spend playing free online poker will set you up for this.
Nick runs marketing for leading free poker site NoPayPOKER.com. NoPayPOKER.com uses a faux currency called FreeD which means the poker is 100% risk free, this makes it the perfect place to how to play poker for beginners, plus if you're more experienced it's a great place to practice, oh and the the fact that the FreeD can be cashed in for real Dollars is a nice touch too!
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