Party Poker Man

Since its invention, poker has rapidly become one of the favorite gambling past times for many Americans, due to the ease with which it can be played. There is perhaps no other game of chance for which so many different variations have been created- there are literally hundreds of versions of poker.

Poker is intrinsically caught up in the history of America and American expansions. It is thought to have originated in New Orleans, where players would use a 20 card deck and bet on whose hand was the most valuable. As American settlement spread West up river systems, poker went along, including on riverboat passages up major waterways such as the Mississippi on river boats. Its expansion during this period has meant that it is an integral part of the popular telling of the history of the American West, and can be found in works of fiction and non-fiction, works of history and religion, documentaries and movies alike.

The full 52-card deck was introduced to the game after the expansion period, along with the idea of the flush. Variants of the game began to emerge during the American Civil War, and the game continued to be an integral part of the military, just as it had the development of the West. It is thought that it was the American military that spread the game throughout much of the rest of the world, especially in Asia.

Poker began to receive a lot of public attention when the World Series of Poker began in 1970. During this period, a heightened interest in the game meant that the market was ripe for development, in the form of poker rooms in major casinos as well as the development of strategy books and tips.

Poker experienced a down turn in the mid 1980s that continued right through to the new millennium. Many casinos shut down their poker rooms during this time in favor of more lucrative games which favored house odds (poker offers very little returns for a casino aside for a cut of the pot).

A return in popularity came in the development of several more tournaments for poker, mainly the brainchild of Stephen Lipscomb who developed the idea of the World Tour of Poker. Since the beginning of that show, with its reliance on innovative camera technology which allows viewers to see the cards of the players, poker popularity throughout the world has taken on astronomical proportions, particularly the Texas Hole Em variation. Online poker sites have also contributed to the increased popularity of the game which has been described as Every Mans Game. Professional poker players have become celebrities in their own right, and many celebrities are also turning to the game as their preferred method of entertainment. Some players, such as Jennifer Tilly, seem to have given up their former careers in order to play the game.

The limits tell you two very important things: how much money you need and what type of opponents you’ll face.

A good rule of thumb for a starting bankroll is 20 times the “big bet,” so if you were playing 36 Hold’em, you should buy in for 120. You can buy chips from a cashier, or an attendant will bring them to you at the table.

Low-limit games tend to be populated by locals who play very conservatively. You’ll find these games mostly at the Downtown and off-strip poker rooms like Binion’s and Palace Station. There’s not a lot of action, and the rooms aren’t very inviting.

High-Limit and No-Limit games (1530 and above) are the realm of “Rounders,” professionals who make their living playing poker. The Bellagio is Las Vegas’ premier high-limit room. Unless you can stomach losses measured in the thousands or have a lot of poker experience, it’s best to avoid these games.

The best bet for the casual player is the low- to mid-limit. These games offer nice surroundings and players with varied experience levels, which translate into friendly games with lots of action.

Once you decide where to play, be sure to budget plenty of time. Cause sometimes, the wait can be well over an hour.

The game itself demands a lot of time too. Despite what you see on T.V., the vast majority of your time is spent mucking your cards.

The good news is that your money lasts a long time. Only the two players to the immediate left of the dealer are forced to ante each hand: a “small blind” equal to half the lower betting limit and a “big blind” equal to the lower limit. A full table has 10 players, so even if you folded every hand in a round, it would only cost you 1.5 times the lower limit: 6 in a 48 game. 10 bad hands at a blackjack table will cost you 100 in a fraction of the time.

There are some other casino-related costs to consider, however.

In exchange for the safe environment, fair game and free drinks, the poker room charges a commission called the “rake.” This is typically a percentage of each pot up to a set maximum. In the 24 game at Binion’s, the rake was 10% up to a maximum of 4. So the house always wins, but at least it’s only when you do too.

The dealers depend on tips for a large portion of their income. While not mandatory, 3% of your winnings are considered standard.

If you don’t have time for all this mucking and raking, and just want a quick shot of No-Limit Hold’em excitement, then tournaments are the way to go. Tournaments allow you to play with a lot more chips than you could otherwise afford, use a rapidly increasing blind structure to speed up the action, and offer the chance to win thousands of pounds.

For 130 to 330 (depending on the day of the week), players get 500-750 in tournament chips and play until someone has them all. If less than 50 people enter, the top 5 finishers share the purse; if more than 50, the top 9.

If that sounds like too much to risk on the long odds of beating 50 other players, show up at the poker room at 1 o’clock to sign up for a satellite. These 1-table mini-tournaments last about an hour and are the best poker value in Vegas. For 35 to 75, 10 players receive 300 in tournament chips and the top 2 finishers win a seat in that night’s main event.

So the next time you’re in Vegas, talk to a brush and tune in to a satellite. It may not be exactly like T.V., but it’ll sure feel like it.

Caribbean Stud Poker is gradually gaining in popularity as compared to its stud twin: Texas Holdem mainly because it is an easier game to learn and you can play it face to face and still enjoy.

Originating in the Caribbean and based loosely on five card stud poker rules, this game offers a fan alternative to traditional table games with an opportunity to place a side bet and hit a big jackpot too. Some of these jackpots are progressive and you can win millions of pounds if you break those machines or tables..

What is Caribbean Stud?
It is not a traditional poker game in the sense that you play against the other players and the best player wins the pot. Caribbean stud belongs to the family of games including Pai Gow poker, Let it Ride and Three Card poker for example, where your opponent is the dealer and your goal is to form a better poker hand than the dealers hand. However, basic knowledge of traditional poker hand ranking is required.

The Rules of Playing Caribbean Stud:
1) The game begins with the players placing an ante bet at the same amount as the table minimum on the ante circle on the table.
2) At the same time, you should decide whether to place an additional side bet for the progressive jackpot.
3) Then, the dealer deals each player five face down cards plus four face down cards and one up to himself.
4) After looking at your cards, you should decide whether to fold or to call. If you decide to call, you should place an additional bet double the amount of your former ante bet.
5) After all the players have made their decisions, the dealer shows his hand. In order to qualify in a Caribbean stud poker game, the dealer must have an ace and a king or better. If he does not qualify, you will be paid back your ante bet but the call bet is a push.
6) If the dealers hand qualifies, he compares hands against each of the players individually. If his hand is better than yours is, you lose both your ante and your call bets.
7) If your hand is better than the dealers hand, you would be paid even money for your ante while for your call you would be paid according to a paytable. The paytable can vary from one casino to another. Generally, US casinos pay out 50:1 on a straight flush; 20:1 on four of a kind; 7:1 on full house; 5:1 on a flush; 4:1 on a straight; 3:1 on three of a kind; 2:1 on two pairs and even money on one pair or less. In case your hand and the dealers hand are even, both ante and raise will push.

One of the reasons that Caribbean stud poker is so popular is the option of placing a one pound side bet and winning a large progressive jackpot prize. In order to qualify for the bonus payout you should have a flush or better. For a flush, you would be paid a 50 pounds bonus and in order to win the jackpot that usually resets from 10,000 pounds, you must have a royal flush. However, your chances to hit a royal flush are estimated as about 650,000 to 1, therefore I would recommend skipping it.

As poker is very popular today and a favorite game to play among Americans, one may ask, if there really is a sure way to win at poker.

The answer is simple. Study and check out these guidelines, try them at poker time and see for yourself.

Before starting to play the game, keep in mind these simple suggestions:

*Inspect the site. Make sure that it is authentic.

*Read the terms and conditions of the site. Check the maximum payouts and the minimum bets.

*Allocate a budget for the day. That budget will determine how much you are willing to lose or to win in the game. Stick to the limit.

*Do not gamble if you can not afford to lose.

*Practice playing the game. Familiarize yourself with the game first before you play for real money.

At the table, here are some warnings that you should always remember:

*If you do make a big win, do not be greedy, stop. Making a big win and gambling it all over again is a big sign of greediness.

*In poker, overall winnings are what count most. If you are losing, or have already lost your allotted money for the day, dont try to win your losses back. You won’t. Stop. Tomorrow is another day.

*Drinking alcohol is a big no no at poker time. It can serious affect your judgment. So stay away from it while on the game.

*Never take side bets. Usually these are just gimmicks, so that more money will go to the casino.

*Never gamble your hard earned money unless you are very much ready to lose it.

While in the game, here are some important ideas to think about:

*Gaze at your opponent’s eye. Survey all their moves. Observe them, to better know them. This way, you will fear them less. This way, you will know when they are bluffing or not.

*Play in silence. Have that conversation with your self as well as think deep to your opponents actions. Concentrate.

*Base your decisions on what the reality is. See all movements as they are. Do not fear, instead, be calm and assess their moves accordingly.

*Don’t take it personally. At the poker table, it is always unavoidable that your opponent can irritate you. Never give in to such responses. Stay within the good game. Be cool and objective. This is a bluffing game. But do keep in mind that just because your opponent has bluffed earlier, it does not mean that he does all the time. Think tight. Review each move.

*Think about what your opponents have. Create a situation. So when deciding, you’ll have a better chance to be right.

*Know when to stop. Is the hand that you are raising now the hand you folded a while ago? This is a sign that you should go home.

*Play to enjoy. Do not play if you are sad, bored or tired. If you can’t play having enjoyment as your goal, then don’t play at all!