Royal Poker Guide

Poker itself has very long and storied past, but it is going to depend upon who we ask if we are trying to find out the exact roots because the truth is no one can be quite sure how poker got its start. The most common and accepted theories are that ti started out in Europe in Germany or that it came from the Middle East even earlier, but no matter which way we slice it, poker is quite popular these days and if it were not for the popularity of the card game we would obviously not have the video poker game. This is one thing that is obvious to most people, but it is still important to state simply because today’s video poker is far removed from the early stud poker games that took place back in the old time bars and saloons of the early days of the United States. Still, today video poker is still enjoyed in these settings in its own way and is a big part of state lotteries that are designed to let people be able to play video poker outside of a casino and still be able to put back into the state coffers in the same way they do with lottery tickets.

It would be quite some time before video poker would rise in the US because the fact is, the technology it would take to create the game was not even close to being around until the 70’s. It was then that the very first stand up coin operated arcade video games would come out and these were the inspiration to the casinos for what we know today as video poker machines. For the casinos, these were a great idea because even though the machines would only serve one player at a time, they did not require a dedicated dealer and could be dealt with by attendants in the same way that the highly successful slot machines were. With these early slots as a guide, the casinos knew that they stood to make a great deal of money shifting poker from the rooms they had maintained until then, which were just not nearly as profitable as they were with other table games, to machines that could be easily cared for and would offer the poker fans a fast and easy way to play a few hands any time they liked without having to wait for player or a dealer to help them out.

As much as the casinos helped get the video poker machines out into the world, they probably would not have liked what happened next if they would have had the ability to foresee it. When the world wide web first arrived and gave people access through their home computers, it meant that people from all over could take part in the early online casinos. In these casinos video poker was a natural fit and got even more advanced than the machines. Today, many people prefer online video poker to just about any other form of the game.

With all the different styles of poker in the world today, it can be tough choosing which one a player would like to try out, but for those who have not yet given it a shot, 7 Card Stud is a very simple game that is quick to learn and quite a lot of fun to play. The game is one of the styles that originated in the American West back during the days of the cowboys and when the United States was first being settled. These days it is not quite as popular as Omaha or Texas Hold ‘em, but it is still played with some regularity in certain casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City or other parts of the country. This is a great game to know if a player wants to be able to compete in a pro poker circuit because the big money pro poker players will often get into a tourney of the HORSE variety and knowing 7 Card stud is crucial here. This is because the S in HORSE is representative of Seven Card Stud, one of the 5 styles that are played during a game of HORSE. For that reason alone, it is worth getting good at this particular kind of stud poker game.

Most of those who are new to 7 Card Stud will find that they probably have to end up going to a casino or finding one of the web in order to learn this game unless they play with an older group of home players. The reason is that many of the younger players today have not played this game since they tend to focus on the more popular Texas Hold ‘em style of play. Another factor is the fact that a game of 7 Card Stud obviously will end up with each player at the table having 7 cards and this means that if there are 8 players then there would be 56 cards in play when there are only 52 in a deck. That is why 7 Card Stud games often are restricted to 7 or less players if those players are newer. This is because newer players have a tendency to fold a lot less often than the vets will do and so vets can play in games of up to 9 people without too much problems.

Learning 7 Card Stud is a snap because all one has to remember for the rounds is that it works out to this basic formula: 2 cards down, 4 cards up and 1 card down. That means the first 2 cards and the final card are dealt face down to each player while the 4 cards in the middle are dealt face up. The rounds work the same way they would in any other poker game with bets and folding taking place based on how strong players feel their hands are.

High Card - In a hand of poker that has 5 different cards that do not form any kind of match, the highest card is the high card and it is only useful against another hand of 5 unmatched cards if a showdown takes place. When both players have the same High Card, they will compare the next highest card and so on until a winner is declared.

One Pair – When 2 cards are of the same rank and none of the rest of the cards in a hand are useful, a player has a One Pair. When 2 players are in a showdown and both hold a One Pair, the higher valued pair wins. If they tie, the rest of their cards are compared in descending order of value.

Two Pair – This is simply 2 different One Pairs. When 2 players both have a Two Pair, they will compare the highest valued One Pair first, then the other pair. If they still tie, they will compare the rest of their cards in descending order of value.

Three of a Kind – This is a hand that is also known by the name Trips meaning triple. If a player has 3 cards in the same rank and 2 cards that don’t match, they have Three of a Kind. In a showdown with 2 players both having this hand, they compare to find the higher Three of a Kind and if they tie, their kickers are then compared.

Four of a Kind – Also known by the name of Quads, this is a set of 4 cards that each have the same rank no matter what suite they are in. If 2 players both have Four of a Kind, they compare to see who has the higher ranked Quad. If they tie, they compare their kicker card to find the winner.

Straight - This is 5 cards in a hand that are in ascending order of rank such as 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen & King. If 2 players both have a straight they will compare them to see who has the highest ranked hand. If players have all the cards in their Straight in the same suite, they have a Straight Flush which is worth more.

Flush - This is 5 cards that are all of the same suite (such as Clubs or Spades) and in any order of rank. When the cards are in ascending order then the player actually has a Straight Flush and this is worth more. In a showdown where 2 players both have a Flush, they compare their highest value cards to find the winner. If these cards tie, they go down in order of descending value to find a winner.

Full House – Also known in some circles as a Full Boat, this is 3 cards of the same rank and a One Pair in with them. If a showdown happens with 2 players both holding a Full House, they will compare the Three of a Kind and then next they will compare the One Pair. Highest rank for either always wins.

Straight Flush – This hand has 5 cards in order of ascending value that are all in the same suite (Clubs, Hearts, etc). This means 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7, all of Hearts, is a Straight Flush. If the highest value card is an Ace, the players holds a Royal Flush which is worth more. In a showdown of Straight Flush hands, the higher ranked hand wins.

As what is by far the most popular form of poker in the world today, Texas Hold ‘em has a reputation that is just about as large as the US state it has been named for. When most people think about poker, this is the style that comes to their mind. Much of that is thanks to all of the media coverage that surrounds this game and also the fact that on the web, where poker is still quite hot these days, it is the most popular form of poker one can play, being featured in a huge number of poker gaming rooms around the net. Because of this and the TV coverage, among other factors, Texas Hold ‘em is played in many casinos where poker is not commonly offered since it is a form of game the casino generally has more trouble making money from. However, this is definitely the game that has made the poker world of pro players possible thanks to the huge number of tourneys that are offered each and every year all around the globe.

Just like its lesser known cousin Omaha Hold ‘em, Texas Hold ‘em is a community card poker game. This means that there are a variety of different cards on the table from which all players can choose to form their hands at any given time. That part of the game is called the flop and it is certainly a style of play that offers some chances other styles of poker won’t allow for. Due to this, it is often said that stud poker is a bit easier to learn that the hold ‘em style of play, but this is not always the case. It may take some extra time, but the game is not that much more difficult to pick up on if one is determined to get good at poker. There are a variety of house rules and different sub styles that players need to be aware of if they want to be good at this game so making sure that one knows whether the game is a no limit Texas Hold ‘em game versus a pot limit version, is a very smart idea that can save players a good deal of money. Always double check with the dealer what the rules are before entering into a game.

Keep in mind that any player who is serious about having a pro career in poker absolutely must learn this game if they want to be a serious pro in the future. It is essential to getting to the top.