Many variations of Poker exist, including three-card Monte and Spit-in-the-ocean. All variations are explained later in this chapter. However, if more than 10 players want to play Poker, two separate games can be organized. In such a situation, each player can place his or her bet in either of the two pools. In addition to the three main varieties of Poker, other variations can be arranged. Below are some of the most popular variations of the game.
Pre-flop betting phase
The pre-flop betting phase is a crucial stage in the game of poker. In most poker games, the first player to act must place a bet, and the remaining players must raise their bets in proportion to the previous player’s contribution. The period between betting intervals varies among different variations of poker. During this time, players may decide whether to check or raise their bets. The betting intervals last from two seconds to seven minutes.
Big blind
The big blind is a term used in poker to describe the player who has the largest bet to start a hand. In this situation, the player has to make the first move during the first betting round. The player who is left of the big blind is called the live blind or small blind. This player must act first in each betting round. He must wait for the dealer button to move to his left before he can make a bet.
Big blind variation
The Big blind is the initial bet placed by the player sitting to the left of the dealer. The player may call, raise, or fold and has the same options as the Big blind. The minimum raise is equal to the amount of the last bet, while the maximum raise is equal to the number of chips in front of the dealer. The betting round continues clockwise until one player is left in the big blind. Once a player sees the flop, he or she may check, raise, or fold.
Tie hands in poker
A tie hand is a situation in which two players have exactly the same five-card combination. Examples of such ties are two pairs of twos and a pair of sevens. A tie may also happen when one player has a higher pair than the other player. Certain poker board textures increase the odds of a tie. Tie hands are common in poker, so recognizing when your hand might be a tie is important.
Rules after a player raises
Rules after a player raises in poker can be confusing. Players can’t re-raise if a previous player has already bet the maximum amount. The raise must be in the amount the player said they would bet. For example, Alice opened with a $5 bet and Dianne announced that she would raise to $15 and put $20 into the pot. Under these rules, Dianne would be obligated to bet the specified amount, and the $5 difference would be returned to Alice.
After a player folds
In poker, a player who folds is essentially giving up the hand. It is the act of sacrificing your interest in the current pot, and may be indicated verbally or by mucking (turning all of your cards face down). When a player folds, he or she is no longer eligible to enter another hand. The person who folds must leave the table and refrain from making any more wagers.