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By stacy, July 8, 2009 9:29 pm

So you want to learn one of the mainstay card games outside of the land of poker, huh?  Well, canasta is an easy one to learn, but again you have to be able to read people, although not necessarily your opponents, but your partner.  Yes, Canasta is most often played with 4 people paired up in 2’s.  You and your partner sit across from each other.

Let’s explain some Canasta terminology and rules before we begin. Canasta is played with two full decks of cards including both sets of Jokers that come in a full deck.  So there are 108 cards in a Canasta deck.  Each of the cards have point values that count towards a meld, or opening, and count for total points at the end of a hand, 4-7 is worth 10 points each

A canasta is a group of 7 cards, either a natural or not.  A natural can only be made of 7 ‘natural’ cards meaning, 7 Kings or 7 8’s or 7 4’s.  The cards that can be made into a natural canasta are Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 and 4.  The 3’s and 2’s are reserved for other parts of the game and therefore can’t make a natural canasta.  A natural canasta is worth 500 points.

The Jokers and 2’s in the deck are wild.  This means that they can be a part of a non-natural canasta, but every canasta must be made up of at least 4 natural cards.  So a canasta can be K, K, K, K, Joker, Joker, 2 or K, K, K, K, Joker, Joker, Joker or K, K, K, K, K, 2, 2 or, you get the picture.  It has to have at least 4 natural cards, but it can have 5, 6 or 7.  In addition, you can add cards to a canasta once you have laid it down for your points.  Say, for example, that you have a natural canasta of King’s and you pick up the 8th King, you can add this to the canasta stack.  It does not add any more points to the canasta, but it is worth points after one side goes out, so it is beneficial to add it to the stack, except when the deck is frozen.  We’ll get into that next time.

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By stacy, July 7, 2009 9:04 pm

If you like Omaha, you’ll love the simplicity of Omaha Hi-Low.  Omaha Hi-Low rules are fairly simply, it is simply a matter of learning the rules and getting used to the playing format.  Omaha Hi-Low has proven to be quite a popular variant of Omaha, and many online games room are now offering the game or will be offering it in the near future.  Let’s look at the basic rules of Omaha Hi-Low:

Omaha Hi-Low Basic Rules of Game Play

•    Omaha Hi-Low is a split pot game which simply means that the pot can be split between a qualifying low hand and a qualifying high hand.  To qualify for the low hand, five cards must be in the player’s hand that are eights or lower; for the high hand, it’s eights or better.

•    An ace counts as the low card in Omaha Hi-Low.  Straights and flushes are not counted against the calculation of the low hand.

•    The best possible Omaha Hi-Low hand on the low end is called a wheel – or ace, two, three, four, and five.

•    Scooping the pot in Omaha Hi-Low is where the player has both the best high hand and the best low hand.  When this happens, the player wins the entire pot and does not have to split it with anyone.

•    Omaha Hi-Low is a button game, which means that dealer position is determined by a chip or button that is placed in front of the dealer; play proceeds to the left of the dealer button.

•    The first player who is seated directly to the left of the dealer is the small blind, and the player to his or her left is the big blind.

•    When dealing Omaha Hi-Low, each player is initially dealt four cards in the face down or hole position.  Two of these cards will be used in the creation of the player’s hand.

•    After these cards are dealt, the player who is seated to the left of the big blind will act first by calling, folding, or raising.  Play will continue clockwise around the Omaha Hi-Low table.

•    Once each player has betted or taken other action, the dealer will deal three community cards into the middle of the table from which all players can build their best Omaha Hi-Low hands.  When the community cards are dealt, this is what is known as the “flop”.

•    Following the flop, bets start from the player who is seated directly to the left of the dealer button.

•    After bets are in, another card is placed into the community cards.  This is called the turn.

•    After the turn, another round of betting ensures – with bets being doubled, or at the upper limit.

•    The final community card is turned up with the others on the Omaha Hi-Low table, which is followed by a last round of bets, known as the river.

•    The showdown ends the game, with players revealing their hands. The best low and the best high poker hand wins ½ of the Omaha Hi-Low pot, unless one player has the best high and low and takes it all.

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By stacy,

Omaha Hi-Low is often referred to as eights or better – and is one of the most popular poker games in the world.  Being a split pot game, Omaha Hi-Low is considered by some to be less than profitable because if you do win – you’re usually only winning half the pot. But on the other hand, some players simply love Omaha Hi-low because they know that they can also “scoop” the pot by having a hand that is both the highest and the lowest – which means that the player gets the entire pot.  The object of Omaha Hi-Low for these players is to take home the whole pot every time to take home the biggest bankroll.  While there are many strategies that can be followed when playing Omaha Hi-Low to become the best at the game, there is simply no replacement to just getting online and playing the game firsthand.  Most online games rooms offer Omaha Hi-Low, and since most of these same sites give you the ability to play with fake chips – practicing online is an ideal way to become proficient at this Omaha poker variant.

What is the “Nut Low” in Omaha Hi-Low?

One of the most confusing aspects of Omaha Hi-Low when players first begin playing the game is how to determine the nut-low.  First of all, flushes and straights do not affect player’s low hands.  The best low hand in Omaha Hi-Low is the bicycle or wheel, which is made up of the ace card through the five card.  Low hands are calculated top heavy – which means that a player who is holding eight – six- four- three and ace would lose to a player who is holding a six- four – three- two – ace because the eight is bigger than the six.  For tighter configurations of cards, simply convert the entire card “string” into a number, in this case 86431 is larger than 64321, which makes it simpler when trying to determine the nut low.  Inversely, determining the high can be undertaken in the same fashion.  Players should also remember that if the there is no low hand, the best high hand will scoop the entire pot.  The best low hand cannot have a card higher than eight.

Starting Hands for Omaha Hi-Low

Having a strong starting hand in Omaha Hi-Low is important, as is knowing when to fold and cut your losses.  The best hand for starting in Omaha Hi-Low is the double “suited” ace – ace – two – three.  Because the ace can be considered the best card on the high end and the best card on the low end in Omaha Hi-Low, the ace is a key card. Some professional poker players say that if you don’t have an ace in Omaha Hi-Low, you should go ahead and fold.  Ditching ace-less hands may very well be a sound Omaha Hi-Low strategy.

Flop Tips

Deciding whether to draw to a high or draw to a low in Omaha Hi-Low should always be made pre-flop. If it doesn’t work out, then you can always fold.  There’s a very slim chance that you can “change horses in midstream” when drawing in Omaha Hi-Low, so make your decision and stick to it.

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By stacy,

Having a sound seven card stud strategy is important if you wish to do more than just play the game for sport. Becoming a profitable seven card stud player who can bring home an addition to his or her bankroll on a consistent basis means learning which hands are the best to start with when playing the game and slowly developing your own playing style that allows you to read into your opponent’s hands to become the best.

Observing the Cards

Don’t go through your poker playing career with your “blinders” on – or you certainly won’t get very far.  Memorizing what cards are on the table is important to your overall game because this gives you a glimpse into the big picture for your own hand.  You should also observe the face-up cards on the “porches” of your opposition – and ask yourself how the cards that they have showing affect your hand.  Is there a card that you need? If so, you know you’re not going to get it now – so regroup and find another way to win or just tuck your tail and fold your cards.  The next round may be better – and there’s no need to throw your money to the wind.

Opening Hands in Seven Card Stud

Although the premium opening hand in seven card stud is three-of-a-kind, also known as trips, chances are that you won’t see them that often.  When you do, be very aggressively – oftentimes trips (even small groupings) can take home the entire pot.  Either way, three-of-a-kind is a great start on a full house.  High pairs that are better than ten are the next best for starting in seven card stud, and if they are in the “hole”- then even better.  If you have high pair(s) in the hole, bet aggressively; even more so if you are holding aces in your pocket.  By Fifth Street, you should have a pretty good idea of the real strength of your hand and all bets should be off if you don’t have something that is going to win.

Opponents to Watch for in Seven Card Stud

Of all the playing personalities that you should be on the lookout for in seven card stud, the “bear” and the “bull” are the most common.  Most players fall under these two types.  The bear will play a tight and conservative game, making bets only when he or she is certain of the outcome.  Bears fold more often than they play a hand to the end – and the hands that they do see through to the end usually are winners.  Take the bear seriously – if he is betting, he’s not bluffing.  The bull, on the other hand is a very aggressive player who likes to make his hands seem stronger than they usually are.  Most of the bull’s tactics are psychological – and playing with the bull means that he is in command of the action (until you realize what he’s up to).  Most of the professional players you see in the World Series of Poker are classified as bulls.  Which will you be – a bull or a bear?

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By stacy, July 6, 2009 9:06 pm

If you mix the best parts of Razz and seven card stud together, the result is London Lowball – a fast paced game that is wildly popular in England and across Europe – and that is stretching across the globe to become a favorite among many poker enthusiasts.  London Lowball is played using a standard deck of fifty-two playing cards.  Each player is dealt seven cards (just like in Razz poker and seven card stud) – with the deal being two cards facedown, four face-up, and the last card “down and dirty” or facing down.  Here are some London Lowball tips to make your London Lowball game the best it can be:

London Lowball Tip #1

Learn the London Lowball rules before you put any real money on the table.  This is the same advice that is commonly given regarding any poker game – if you don’t know the rules, don’t understand the rules, or don’t play by the rules, your London Lowball game will be less than what it can be.  The same rules that apply to London Lowball’s cousins Razz and seven-card stud apply to the game; however, the lowest and most sought-after hand in London Lowball is the “royal six” which is made up of ace, two, three, four and six.  Why is five not a wanted card in the royal six? Because straights (and flushes) count against the player’s hand – which would make the hand a straight – and a high hand, which is what you do not want in London Lowball.  Aces are always considered as low in London Lowball; the lowest five cards win the pot.

London Lowball Tip #2

There is a huge opportunity for those who are eager to bluff to find their niche in London Lowball, and bluffing can certainly be a part of an effective London Lowball strategy.  Due to the fact that four cards are dealt as hole cards, this gives players a good chance to bluff about what is in their pockets.  Use caution when bluffing, however – whether playing London Lowball or any other type of poker game- as a good bluff is a seldom bluff.

London Lowball Tip #3

By making careful observations of the cards that are on the table as well as those that are in your hand, you can get a better notion of what cards are remaining in the deck – which is useful information that you can use to determine if the card you are hoping for is still a possibility for your hand.  For example, if you are waiting for a three and there are two threes on the table, you can use your powers of deduction to make a reasonable assumption that your three is not coming – so that you can move on to building a different hand with a different approach.

London Lowball Tip #4

Don’t be stubborn – know when it is best to fold your cards, cut your losses, and wait for the next hand!  All too often, London Lowball players will keep holding out and calling bets because they think that they are going to get a certain card that will make their hand.  More often than not, if you don’t have a good hand from the deal, you’re not going to get a good hand.

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By stacy,

Horse poker is a game for the poker player who has been around the block a time or two and is looking to flex their poker muscle at multiple poker games.  Horse poker is played in five separate rounds – each round consisting of a different poker game.  H.O.R.S.E is an acronym for: Holdem (H), Omaha (O), Razz (R), Seven card (S) and Eights or better seven card (E).  Playing horse poker requires that you know how to play all five games in the mix, so let’s review the five poker games that make up horse poker.

Rules for Holdem

1.    The small and big blinds are seated to the dealer’s left; these players must make an initial bet before the cards are dealt.

2.    The dealer will deal two hole cards to each player at the Holdem table, face down.

3.    The player to the big blind’s left will make the initial move.  Bets will continue in a clockwise rotation around the table.

4.    After bets are made, three community cards are dealt into the center of the table.  These cards can be used to form hands by each player.  This part of the game is called the flop.

5.    Post-flop betting begins with the player to the dealer’s left.

6.    A fourth card is dealt into the community cards, which is the fourth street card or turn card.

7.    Betting follows the turn.

8.    A final card is dealt facing up, which is called the fifth street card or river card.

9.    Final bets are placed.  The best five card hand that is made up of hole cards and community cards wins the pot.

Rules for Omaha

Omaha is played in an identical fashion as Holdem, with a few exceptions.  Players are initially dealt four hole cards.  Another difference is that the showdown that happens after the fifth street or river card is deal will involve hands being judged that are made up of two hole cards and three community cards only.

Rules for Razz Poker

Razz poker is played in an identical manner to seven card stud – with the inverse being that the worst or lowest hand is the winning hand.  The best possible razz poker hand is one that consists of ace, two, three, four, and five – which is also know as a bike or wheel hand.  Straights and flushes do not count against the player in razz, and aces are the always high cards.

Rules for Seven Card Stud High

•    There is a forced ante in seven card stud high that all players must make before cards are dealt.

•    The dealer will deal to his left – giving each player two hole cards and one porch card (card that faces up and is visible to all players).

•    The player with the lowest showing porch card makes a bet at the lower limits of the game; this player is also known as the bring-in.  Play will continue from the bring-in’s left.  Players may call, raise, or fold.

•    Another card follows the betting round, and another porch card is dealt out on what is now called fourth street, or the turn.

•    Now the player with the highest porch card will act first, and it will remain like that for remaining rounds.  Another round of betting ensues.

•    The fifth card is now dealt facing up, followed by more betting; the sixth card is then dealt facing up, again, followed by more betting.  These are called the fifth and sixth streets in the game.

•    The final card of the game is deal facing down, and is known as the seventh street card.  A last betting round occurs, which is immediately followed by the show down where the player with the best seven card traditional poker hand will win.

Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Rules

The above rules for seven card stud high apply to seven card stud high-low with the exception that the pot is split between the player with the low hand and the player with the high hand (eights or better).

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By stacy,

Confused about triple draw poker? Triple draw poker simply refers to various versions of poker where the game is dealt and then players are given an option to draw cards to replace some or all of the cards in their hand.  There are a multitude of triple draw poker games out there that are known by different names – each with their own distinct rules.  Most poker players are most familiar with general five card draw poker, but there are many others out there, both online, in the game room and in the casino that go well beyond this most simplistic triple draw poker variant.  Let’s have a look at the most frequently played triple draw poker games.

Triple Draw Poker Game – California Lowball

As the name suggests, California Lowball comes to us originally from California – but has grown to have quite a following around the globe.  In California Lowball, hand values that mean the most are those that are valued from ace to five (which is why this game is often referred to as ace to five lowball).  California Lowball is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, plus a joker.  There are two blind players in California Lowball, and they must make forced bets at the beginning of the hand.  A unique rule for this triple draw game states that if a player who has a seven high hand or better (which means lower) “checks” after the draw – they lose their right to win the pot, no matter how good his or her hand is.

Triple Draw Poker Game – Badugi Poker

Badugi is oftentimes referred to as Padooki, and is a triple draw poker game where the hands are only four cards strong.  Traditional poker hand rankings are thrown out the window in Badugi poker.  A Badugi is made up of the four lowest cards in the deck (ace, two, three, four) – but each card must be of a different suit to be an authentic Badugi, which is the best hand in the game.  Three drawing rounds during Badugi poker give players plenty of time to build their hand.  Badugi poker can be played as half pot or pot limit games.

Triple Draw Poker Game – Kansas City Lowball/Deuce to Seven/ 2 to 7

Kansas City Lowball is similar to California Lowball, only the joker is not included in the deck and the values of importance are deuce to seven instead of ace to five.  This gives rise to the game also being known as Deuce to Seven or 2 to 7 Lowball.  Some areas of the globe use ace to six low hand values, although that is not common in the U.S.

Triple Draw Poker Game – California Hi-Low Split Poker

California Hi-Low Split poker is placed like Kansas City Lowball – only the joker is added and acts as a wild card.  The values of the game are ace to five low, however, but the high hand and the low hand split the pot.  The high hand in California Hi-Low Split is eights or better, and if there is no low hand to declare, the high hand takes the entire pot, and vice versa.

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By stacy,

If you’ve never heard of “crazy pineapple” poker – you soon will.  This version of Texas Holdem is popping up all over the Internet on the world’s best online poker sites.  A casino favorite for some time, players are now able to enjoy this sibling to Holdem at more and more sites because the demand for it has grown immensely- and online poker vendors are listening.  Whether it becomes a favorite of yours or not, crazy pineapple poker will allow you to break the monotony of playing plain old Holdem and help you learn a few new skills along the way.

Aptly Named Poker Game – Crazy Pineapple Poker

Crazy pineapple poker is aptly named because of the insane differences that it has from everything you have been taught about Holdem.  The basics of the game are quite easy to remember once you have played the game for awhile (if you can remember that you’re playing this altered upside down Holdem version).  To play crazy pineapple poker, each player is dealt three hole cards (sometimes referred to as pocket cards) whereas Holdem players are dealt two hole cards.  The game plays out similar to Holdem, but the distinct and crazy difference happens after the flop – when each player must discard one of their hole cards.  For those who are accustomed to Holdem, betting in crazy pineapple will be familiar.  Two players sitting next to the dealer chip or dealer button are the small and big blinds and thus must start out betting for the game.  The first bet is placed before the first cards are dealt, at the beginning of the game.  Three community cards are placed in the center of the table after the first bet, facing up – and these can be used by all players to form the best hand of five cards in crazy pineapple.  After the flop, players must have enough skill (or luck) to decide which card from those cards that make up the hole cards is to be discarded.  This is done by a careful analysis of not only the cards that the player is holding, but the community cards that are spread out on the crazy pineapple table.  Players will discard the worst card in their hand – in a quick decision that can make or break the game for them.  Once each player has chosen their fate by discarding the card that they like least, the dealer will turn over a fourth card into the community cards.  This fourth card is known as the turn card.  Players will undergo another round of bets.  A final community card is then turned over, which is called the river card.  More bets take place, followed by the show down where players will reveal their cards (or choose to muck their hand, which means to not show their hands) and the best hand is revealed.  The best traditional poker hand wins the pot.

Practicing Crazy Pineapple Poker

One of the best ways to get “good” at any poker game is to practice the game whenever possible.  If you don’t have a regular Friday night poker game set up with your buddies, practicing online using free chips is a great alternative.  Most online poker sites offer players the option to play in multiple rooms for free, which is the cheapest way to learn everything you can about crazy pineapple poker before you invest any money in the game.

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By stacy, July 5, 2009 8:54 pm

One of the most wildly popular variants of five card draw poker online is five card draw no limit.  When a game is “no limit”, it simply refers to the fact that there are no limits placed on the amount of bets, although betting in the “blinds” may be set at an exact amount.  In five card draw no limit, players may bet as many chips as they have on any one game – which makes for some really big pots when you get in on a “hot” table at many online sites.

Developing Your No Limit Five Card Draw Strategy

Effectively implementing your no limit five card draw strategy is best accomplished when you are well-versed in all of the rules that govern five card draw play, with a focus on the no limit variant.  The best and fastest way to learn everything that you possibly can about five card draw is to play often and to practice even more often (although the two do go hand in hand).  If you are not a regular gambler with an offline system of poker friends to play with, you should register with one of the many online poker sites that allow you to play with “fake” money so that you can sharpen your poker playing skills.  You can also choose to play with real cash at these sites.

Bluffer’s Game – Five Card Draw No Limit

Five card draw no limit, by its very nature, is perfect for those who are skilled in the art of the bluff, and it is not uncommon to see major bluffs being pulled off in all types of no limit games.  If bluffing is part of your repertoire of skills, then you should learn to become a very unpredictable bluffer – especially if you are playing with people who know you and have come to know your particular playing style so that your bluff is not called as often. On the flip side, if you are a player who is known to bluff but you do have an awesome hand, you have a real opportunity to take home a sizable pot because everyone will just simply assume that you’re bluffing and will usually go ahead and call the bets you make.  In five card draw no limit, bluffing by standing pat is a great way to win an occasional few pots, although it will rarely work on a regular basis.

Observing Your Opposition in No Limit Five Card Draw Player

In any poker game, and especially in five card draw no limit, observing what is going on around you and the actions taken by your fellow players is a very vital part of a sound strategy.  For instance, if a player draws two cards, it might be inferred that they are holding three of a kind.  Simple little observations can yield great results because they will be fundamental to helping you decide whether to check, bet, or even fold your own hand in five card draw no limit.

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By stacy,

A growing trend among poker players today is mixed poker games.  Mixed poker games like H.O.R.S.E., H.O.S.E, Ha, eight game, and others are games that feature multiple traditional poker games, usually played in consecutive order.  The incidence of online poker site offerings of mixed poker games is on the rise as player after player discovers that mixed poker fun can be a great break from playing the “same old, same old” all the time.  Mixed poker games are usually known by their acronyms, which stand for the games in each particular mix. For instance, in H.O.R.S.E. poker, the games that are played (usually in order) are holdem, Omaha, razz poker, seven card stud, and eights or better.

Skills Required for Mixed Game Poker

What makes mixed poker games so unique is that unlike a traditional poker game where you master the concepts and then hone your skills, players must become proficient in multiple games – and develop the ability to switch back and forth between games frequently.  H.O.R.S.E., which is the most popular mixed game of poker, requires that players be somewhat familiar with and (optimally) be able to play five different games with distinctive rules and exclusive guidelines.  That is why mixed games provide the challenge that many poker players are looking for – because to play a mixed game like H.O.R.S.E well, it means that you are an “all around” poker player.  However, if your level of skills is not “up to par” with at least three of the five games (for H.O.R.S.E) or a majority of the games in the mix – them you will likely win one game and then turn around and lose those winnings in the next round to another game.

Mixed Poker Games – Practice Really Does Matter

Although honing your poker skills should be practiced by any person who wants to be successful, it is particularly important to practice, practice, practice when it comes to mixed games. When playing mixed poker games, pay particular attention to your strengths and weaknesses so that you can formulate a practice plan for the games where you seem to be getting beat the most.  Successful mixed poker players know that practice really does make perfect – and can help them to have a fatter bankroll.

Playing off Your Opponent’s Weaknesses in Mixed Poker

Detecting inadequacies in the competition is a big part of becoming a good mixed poker player.  Just as you are likely to display weaknesses, you should detect the weaknesses in your opponents and play off of them the best you can.  Detecting weaknesses may be obvious – the player always loses (no brainer), or may be less obvious because players can always “luck out”.  Players who play with a timid stance during some games but take a more aggressive stance during others are likely giving you a clue – timid translates to insecure about the game and aggressive translates to security in their skills.  Size up your opponents in order to have more confidence in your own game and to use their weak points against them to go in for the kill.