Learn How to Play Internet Poker
Internet poker is growing every day. Thousands of people are going online to try their virtual hand at the game everyone seems to be playing. If you've never played Internet poker, this is a good time to learn. Here's how to play Internet poker.
To play Internet poker, you first have to learn how to play poker. The basic rules are simple. Players make bets according to how strong they think their hand is compared to the other players at the table. Other players must call the bet to stay in the hand, or raise to put the decision back on the other players. Whoever remains at the end shows their best five card poker hand, and whoever has the best one wins. The poker hands rank as follows: The best hand is a royal flush, which is five consecutive cards, ten through ace, all of the same suit. This is followed by a straight flush, which is any five consecutive suited cards. Then comes four of a kind, four cards of the same rank. Next is a full house, which is three of a kind plus a pair. After that is a flush, any five cards of one suit, then a straight, any five consecutive cards, then three of a kind, three cards of the same rank, two pair, one pair, and high card.
The different types of poker games are Draw games, Stud games, and Community Card games. In a Draw game, for example, Five Card Draw, players bet and then replace some of their cards with others in an effort to improve their hand. In a Stud game, cards are dealt to each player one at a time after the first few cards, with most of the cards being dealt face up, and some face down, or "in the hole." In Seven Card Stud, you get seven cards, but still use only five to make your best hand. In Community Card games, such as Hold'em and Omaha, certain cards are shared by all the players trying to make their best five card hand.
Once you know how to play poker, playing on the Internet is a snap. Simply find an online poker site that suits your fancy, download the software, register for an account, and load it with funds. Simple instructions on the site will direct you on how to find a game. Click on an open table and then on an open seat and you're in the action. If you're unclear on the rules or strategy, most sites have menus with links to pages that will review all the information you need for you.
If you're a little nervous, feel free to start by using the play money tables. These are not a great indicator of how you will do in a real game, but they don't cost any money to play and can help you get a feel for the Internet poker experience before you start with actual funds. Good luck!