Public cardrooms are a great source for those who like to play poker. You can always find a game, and the drinks are delivered to your table. While the rules of the tables can change from casino to casino, several customs should not escape the attention of the ardent poker player.
Fewer and fewer casinos offer poker because of the relatively slim profit margin of the game. Whereas slot machines provide a substantial house percentage, poker tables require dealers, waitresses, cigarette girls, and a manager to keep everything running smoothly. The house supports this with a “rake” (a percentage taken from every pot). This can range from 5%-10%; usually with higher rake games, a limit is placed on how much the house can rake (10% with a limit of $5).
Some casinos require their players to check in and out of their tables. This is to keep a record of how many players they have and to manage limited table space. During peak periods (Friday night) there may be a waiting list for poker seats. In this case, it is advised to get on multiple lists (be waiting for both 7-stud and hold’em) and not go too far.
Most Online Casinos Games
As far as chips go, this differs from place to place. Some will have you buy in at the table, while others require you to have them already exchanged from the cashier. The best policy is to ask if you are uncertain. Once at your table, you may realize that not everyone antes every hand, thus making it possible to fold early for “free”.
The betting system used by most casino games is what is commonly called “blind tiger”. In hold ’em, the player to the left of the imaginary dealer (signified by a button) places a small blind bet regardless of his hand the player to the left of the small blind places a big blind or blind raise. In Stud, the low-exposed card usually has a forced initial bet. In this way, everyone eventually antes a much smaller amount (about 40% of a betting unit) for one hand.
Texas Holdem Poker Terminology
Blinds - the two players left of the dealer button put money in the middle, equal to half of what the limits are for the game. For instance, if it’s a $1 - $2 game, then the blinds would be 50 cents and a dollar.
Community Cards - the five cards that are available for use by all of the players, placed in the center of the table. The dealer button determines where the player’s game begins. The two players to the left of the dealer button post the blinds. After each game, the button rotates clockwise. Flop the first three community cards that are laid on the table. Fold when you lay down your cards and withdraw from the hand.
Hole Cards - The two cards that each player is dealt, that are not shown to the rest of the players.”Queens Over Nines” indicates a full house. In this case, it would be three queens and two nines. Rake the money that the casino takes from the final pot. If the rake was 5% and the pot was $100, then the casino would take $5 from the pot. River - the fifth and last community card. Turn the fourth community card that is laid on the table.