Game Description

Draw is played by a maximum of eight players. Draw is a poker game in which each player receives five cards dealt face down. There are two betting rounds. Those players who stay in on the first round have a chance to change or improve their five-card hands by replacing none, some, or all of their cards. After players receive replacements (in an exchange known as the draw), there is a second round of betting, followed by a showdown. In Double Draw, there are two opportunities to change cards and an additional round of betting. At that point, the highest hand among active players (those remaining in contention for the pot) wins the pot.

Betting

The betting starts after five cards are dealt to each player. At this point, there is a round of betting. After all bets have been equalized, active players draw to their hands. A second round of betting follows, and then the showdown.

Discard - After the first round of betting, active players are offered the opportunity to draw to their hands. That is, they can discard to change or improve their five-card hands by replacing none, some, or all of their cards.

Second Round - On the second round, the betting starts with the first active player to the left of the button, who has one of three choices: check, bet, or fold. Until there is a bet, each succeeding active player has the same choices. Once a bet is made, each succeeding player then has in turn one of three choices: call, raise, or fold.

Showdown - At the showdown, if more than one active player remains, the software displays all hands, and awards the pot to the holder of the highest hand. If two hands are the same, the software splits the pot accordingly.

Insufficient Cards

In the event insufficient cards remain to complete the hand, the mucked and discarded cards are shuffled and used to complete the hand.

For example, in a full game with eight players, 40 cards are dealt, leaving 12 undealt cards in the deck. Two of the eight players fold their hands. The first player to act draws five cards, leaving seven undealt cards in the deck. The second player draws four cards, leaving only three undealt cards in the deck. The third player wants to draw four cards. He receives the remaining three cards in the deck.

At this point, the cards folded by the two players in the initial round (10 cards) and the cards discarded by the first and second players (nine cards) are shuffled, and the third player receives one more card from the reshuffled deck. None of the four cards that the third active player discarded are reshuffled, so there is no chance that those discards will reappear in the same hand. Eighteen cards now remain in this deck to be dealt to other players requiring cards, who, similarly, will not get back any of their own discards.

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Description

A maximum of eight players can play at a Seven Card Stud table. There are five betting rounds in a complete game of Seven Card Stud, not including the ante. Each player, starting from seat 1 (the seat to the left of the dealer), is dealt two cards face down, then four cards face up, and the final (river) card is dealt face down.

Each player must put an ante into the pot before he receives his first three cards. The initial deal consists of two cards dealt face down, called the hole cards, and one card dealt face-up, called the door card.

The player with the lowest exposed (door) card (using suits in reverse bridge order—clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades—if there is a tie) is required to initiate action by betting a minimum of half the lower limit. This starting bet is called the bring-in. When you have the bring-in, you always have the option of betting either half the lower limit or the lower limit for the table designated. For example, in a $2-$4 game, the player with the lowest door card must make a forced bet of either $1 or $2.

After the initial round of betting, all subsequent rounds start with the player with the high hand on board initiating the betting action. In cases of a tie, the player to the left of the dealer initiates the betting action.

Betting

Each bet and raise during the first two rounds of betting is set at the lower value of the limit structure. For example in an $8-$16 game, all bets and raises are $8 for the first two rounds. There are two exceptions to this rule:

• The first exception is the Low Card Must Bet rule. After all players have received two downcards and one upcard, the player with the lowest exposed card of the round can bet either half the lower limit or the lower limit. For example, in a $2-$4 game, after each player has anted and each player has received three cards, one player has the 2[CB]. That player can make a bring-in bet of either $1 or $2. If the player bets $1, subsequent players have three choices: fold, call $1, raise to $2. Once the betting has reached $2, further raises must be in $2 increments until the cap is reached. If the bring-in bet is $2 (which doesn't often happen), subsequent players have three choices: fold, call $2, raise to $4.
• The second exception is if any player has an open (exposed) pair after the first two upcards have been dealt. In this case, all players have the option to bet either the lower limit or the higher limit. If a player bets the higher limit, then all subsequent raises must be made at the higher limit. For example, in a $2-$4 game, after each player has received the second upcard, one player has a pair of kings on board. Since this is the second round of betting, if no pair were showing, the betting would have to be at the $2 level. Since a pair is showing, however, the player with that pair can bet $2, or, if he wishes, $4. If he bets $2, any other player can raise either $2 or $4. If he bets $4, or if anyone raises $4, any subsequent raise must be $4.

Each bet and raise during the last three rounds of betting is set at the higher limit of the stakes structure. For example, in an $8-$16 game, all bets and raises are $16 for the last three rounds (fifth street, sixth street, and the river).

The maximum allowable number of bets per player during any particular betting round is four. This would consist of the opening bet and three raises. Once the betting limit for that round has been reached, players have only the option of calling or folding.

At the Showdown

At the showdown, if more than one active player remains the pot to the holder of the highest hand.

In the event that there are not enough cards after the fourth betting round for the showdown, instead of dealing the river card to each player, the dealer will turn one boardcard that will be used as a community card.

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Description

There can be a maximum of 8 players at a Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo table. There are five betting rounds in a complete game of Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo, not including the ante. Each player is dealt 2 cards face down, then 4 cards face up and the final river card is dealt face down.

Every player must pay an ante before they will receive their first 3 cards. The initial deal will consist of 2 cards dealt face down, called the hole cards, and one card dealt face-up, called the door card.

The player with the lowest exposed card (using suit if there is a tie) is required to initiate action by betting a minimum of one-half the lower limit. You will always have the option of betting either half the lower limit or the lower limit for the table designated. For example, in a $2/$4 game, there will be a forced bet by the player with the lowest door card of $1 or $2. Suits are ranked in the following order from lowest to highest - Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts and Spades.

Betting

Fixed Limit Games - Each bet and raise during the first two rounds of betting is set at the lower value of the limit structure. For example in a $8-$16 game, all bets and raises are $8 for the first two rounds. There are two exceptions to this rule. The first exception is the Low Card Must Bet rule which allows a player to bet either half the lower limit after receiving 2 down cards and the lowest exposed card of the round. The second exception to this is if any player has an open (exposed) pair after the first 2 up cards have been dealt. In this case, all players have the option to bet either the lower limit or the higher limit. If a player bets the higher limit, then all subsequent raises must be made at the higher limit.

Each bet and raise during the last three rounds of betting is set at the higher limit of the stakes structure. For example in a $8-$16 game, all bets and raises are $16 for the last three rounds (5th street, 6th street and the river).

The maximum allowable number of bets per player during any particular betting round is four. This would consist of the opening bet and three raises. Once the betting limit has been reached, players will have only the option of calling or folding.

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All players place a small wager known as an 'ante'. The dealer then deals each player two cards, one dealt face down, known as the 'hole' card and the other face up. The player with the lowest ranking up-card must place the opening bet.

Each player to the left of the player making the opening bet must in turn either call the opening bet, raise it or fold.

When this round is complete each player is then dealt another card face up followed by a round of betting. This continues until all players have five cards, one face down and four face up or until only one player remains.

From the third card onwards, the betting is started by the highest poker hand showing.

All players have five cards in their hand, one down and four up.

If there is a showdown, players show all five cards. The winning hand is the highest ranking five card poker hand.

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Game Description

Hold'em, also known as Texas Hold'em, is a poker game in which each player receives two cards (hole cards) dealt face down, while five cards are dealt face up on the table. All players play their best five cards using any combination of their two downcards and the five common cards on the table. The best five-card poker hand among those in contention for the pot wins.

Betting

The betting starts after two cards are dealt to each player in Texas Hold'em. These cards are unique to each player. The next three cards (called flop cards or, simply, the flop) are then dealt in the center of the table. These cards are community cards and are part of each active player's hand. A second round of betting occurs. The fourth community card (the turn card) is dealt in the center of the table, followed by another (third) round of betting.

The final community card (the river card) is dealt in the center of the table, followed by a final (fourth) round of betting. The turn and river cards are also community cards used by all players in Texas Hold'em. When all bets have been equalized, the showdown takes place among the remaining players—also known as active players—and the winner is declared. If only one player remains at the end of any round in Texas Hold'em, there is no showdown and the pot is awarded to that lone remaining player. A player uses the best five cards among his pocket cards and the community cards to determine his hand. That is, a player may use both, one, or none of the two hole cards he started with. (When none are used, the player is playing the board.)

Texas Hold'em Bet Limits

Fixed-Limit Games - Determined by the stakes offered at the particular table. For example, at a $3-$6 table, the limit on any bet is $3 on the first two betting rounds and $6 on the final two betting rounds. Each bet or raise is at the limit for that round. Thus, the first player to bet in the first round of betting has the choice of folding or betting $3. If someone has made a bet, the next player has the choice of folding, calling the $3, or raising $3 (making the total bet at that point $6). If there has been a raise, the next player has the choice of folding, calling the $6, or raising $3 (making the total bet at that point $9).

Pot-Limit Games - The minimum bet at the start of each round of Texas Hold'em is the amount of the big blind wager. The maximum eligible bet is the amount of money currently in the pot. The maximum allowable bet is calculated as the pot size after an individual calls all existing wagers. For example, if there is $10 in the pot and Player 1 wagers $5, then Player 2 could call $5 or raise up to an additional $20. That is, when Player 2 puts her $5 into the pot, the pot becomes $20. She could just call the $5, or raise any amount from $5 to $20. Thus, she could put in a maximum of $25. During the course of a round of Texas Hold'em betting, a bet size cannot decline. (A bet or raise must equal or exceed the preceding bet or raise.) If someone bets or raises $5, then the next player's minimum raise would be $5. You could not, for example, raise a $5 bet by $2. (Exception: You can always go all in—wager all of your remaining chips—even if that amount would cause you to make a raise smaller than that permitted by this rule.)

No-Limit Games - The minimum bet at the start of each round is the amount of the big blind wager. The maximum eligible bet at all times is a player's table stake (the amount of money a player currently has on the table). During the course of a round of betting, a bet size cannot decline. (A bet or raise must equal or exceed the preceding bet or raise.) If someone bets or raises $5, then the next player's minimum raise would be $5. Any Texas Hold'em player can go all in (wager all his chips) at any point during the play of the hand. A player is never forced to call more than the amount of chips he has on the table at any moment. That is, no player can be "bet out" of a hand. If one player runs out of chips during the course of a hand, and more than one opponent remains with more chips than that player, then a side pot is created. An all-in player can win from another player only as much as he is in for. This concept also applies to pot-limit games.

Dealer Button - The yellow disk (labeled with a D) that moves from player to player at the beginning of each hand is called the dealer button. It identifies the current dealer position—as if that player were actually dealing the cards. The player at this location is said to be on the button. After each completed hand, the dealer button moves one player to the left.

Betting Order

The Hold'em cards are dealt in a specific order and betting also takes place in a specific order. The order is as follows:

Blinds - The small blind is a forced bet made by the player to the immediate left of the dealer button (when you are viewing the table from behind the button). The big blind is a forced bet made by the player to the immediate left of the small blind.

Small Blind - In our Hold'em game, the small blind is a bet equal in size to one half the game's minimum bet, rounded down to the nearest unit. (For example, in a $4-$8 game, the small blind is $2; in a $3-$6 game, the small blind is $1. Exception: In a $.05-$.10 game, the small blind is $.03.)

Big Blind - In our Texas Hold'em game, the big blind is a bet equal in size to the game's minimum bet. (For example, in a $3-$6 game, the big blind is $3.)

Showdown - When all the betting is done, and if more than one player is still in for the pot, then the showdown determines who wins the game of Texas Hold'em. The last player to open or raise is required to show cards first, and anyone else can fold (muck his cards if he decides he has lost. Players who elect to fold do not have to show their cards. (The hole cards of all players who stay in to the showdown are included in the hand history, even if they do not actually expose their cards at the showdown.)

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Game Description

Omaha is a poker game in which each player receives four cards (hole cards) dealt face down, while five cards are dealt face up on the table. All players play their best five cards, but they must use exactly two of their four hole cards in combination with exactly three of the five common cards on the table. The best five-card poker hand among those in contention for the pot wins.

Betting

The betting starts after four cards are dealt to each player. These cards are unique to each player. The next three cards (called flop cards or, simply, the flop) are then dealt in the center of the table. These cards are community cards and are part of each active player's hand. A second round of betting occurs. The fourth community card (the turn card) is dealt in the center of the table, followed by another (third) round of betting.

The final community card (the river card) is dealt in the center of the table, followed by a final (fourth) round of betting. The turn and river cards are also community cards used by all players. When all bets have been equalized, the showdown takes place among the remaining players—also known as active players—and the winner is declared. If only one player remains at the end of any round, there is no showdown and the pot is awarded to that lone remaining player. A player uses the best five cards among the combination of any two of his pocket cards with any three of the community cards to determine his hand.

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Game Description

Omaha (8 or Better) is also sometimes known as Omaha High-Low or Omaha Hi-Lo. It is played like the high version of Omaha, except at the showdown the pot is split between the holder of the highest hand and the holder of the lowest qualifying hand. In Omaha (8 or Better), if you do not have two cards 8 or lower among your four downcards, you cannot qualify for low. If three or more cards 8 or lower do not end up among the five community cards, no low is possible. In that case, the pot will not be split (unless two hands tie for high).

Betting

The betting starts after four cards are dealt to each player. These cards are unique to each player. The next three cards (called flop cards or, simply, the flop) are then dealt in the center of the table. These cards are community cards and are part of each active player's hand. A second round of betting occurs. The fourth community card (the turn card) is dealt in the center of the table, followed by another (third) round of betting.

The final community card (the river card) is dealt in the center of the table, followed by a final (fourth) round of betting. The turn and river cards are also community cards used by all players. When all bets have been equalized, the showdown takes place among the remaining players—also known as active players—and the winner is declared. If only one player remains at the end of any round, there is no showdown and the pot is awarded to that lone remaining player. A player uses the best five cards among the combination of any two of his pocket cards with any three of the community cards to determine his hand.

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Description

Razz is Seven Card Stud played for low, but with no qualifier. That is, the winning hand does not have to be an 8 low or better.

A maximum of eight players can play at a Razz table. There are five betting rounds in a complete game of Razz, not including the ante. Each player, starting from seat 1 (the seat to the left of the dealer), is dealt two cards face down, then four cards face up, and the final (river) card is dealt face down.

Each player must put an ante into the pot before he receives his first three cards. The initial deal consists of two cards dealt face down, called the hole cards, and one card dealt face-up, called the door card.

The player with the highest exposed (door) card (using suits in bridge order—spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs—if there is a tie) is required to initiate action by betting a minimum of half the lower limit. This starting bet is called the bring-in. When you have the bring-in, you always have the option of betting either half the lower limit or the lower limit for the table designated. For example, in a $2-$4 game, the player with the highest door card must make a forced bet of either $1 or $2.

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Rules adapted from http://www.planetpoker.com