While there are literally hundreds of poker versions out there in the wild, in the Casinos, the number blazes down to only a handful. All of them have traits in common, such as the types of hands and the values of those hands. Where they differ is in the amount cards you get, and how you get those cards. The how creates the opportunities for betting, and the build of the game tension.

While some casinos do offer 5 Card Stud, the primary games found today are 7 Card Stud, and Texas Hold’em. We’re going to go through these two games, and introduce you to some ideas that will help you stay in the game, and not loose your chips.

A lot of talk goes around the games about the poker player’s ability to read his opponents. You know that look women get when they want sex? I don’t either, and while I’m not an expert on women I am an expert on poker, and reading is one of those things I don’t put a great deal of faith in; not the kind of reading they are talking about anyway. If you know a guy twitches his eyebrow when he’s lying, what good does it do you? Is he lying about having the Ace, or not having the King? True reads are found in the manner of play over the course of the game, and you can’t get them in the first few hands. You might not get them in the first few hours, depending on the level of play at the table. So concentrate on staying in the game long enough to get the nut hand.

I’m not going to spend a great deal of time on the blow by blow action of the game. There are plenty of books and articles describing the rules of every game out there. What I’m going to teach you are some basic play rules that will extend your time at the table, and if you follow them, will net you a bit of profit. These are the basics, and it amazes me how many players at casino tables don’t follow them, and just hand over stacks of chips. I can say with some assurance that over 60% of the time I’ve lost a significant amount of chips, it’s because I wasn’t following the basics. An inspiration hits me, and I make a deviation because of a read, and bang, there goes my chips.

First rule to live by in gambling, any gambling, is ‘No matter what the game is, or who is playing, you are responsible for what happens to you at the table.’ No one is to blame, you didn’t have bad luck, you are not under a curse, and you are in control of your chips and your cards. If you can’t swallow that, stay out of the room. Breaking this rule will bring you more bad beats than any other rule ever written. When you place your control on something outside of yourself, it’s like blood in the water. “Man I just can’t get a hand”… is an exotic hunting call for stack snatchers.

The second rule is to know how much you are willing to take in with you, how much of that you are willing to loose and how much you would like to win. When you reach either of those two limits, leave. At a Casino table there are always people waiting to take your seat. They are stacked, five deep at times. No one is going to complain about you taking your winnings away from the table. They know a fresh stack is coming in, and if you are winning, they are probably glad to see you go. If you are down half your stake, then get out of there. Don’t go for the last ditch effort, obviously your read on the table and the cards isn’t working today, come back tomorrow, or at least go get a meal and come back later. Again, no one is expecting you to loose your whole stack, break out the ATM card and loose another. There are plenty of stacks waiting to sit down. Have fun, and make friends but don’t place obligations where none are required.

Now let’s talk about the specific games of Seven Card Stud and Texas Hold’em. I can’t give you pro status in the time I have with you, so I’m going to teach you some basic plays, and turn you loose.

Seven Card Stud.

There are three rules to Seven Card Stud starting hands that will keep you out of most rounds, but insure your status with the ones you do get into. The rules deal with the first three starting cards. As you will recall the first two cards in stud are dealt down. The third card is dealt face up for everyone to see.

First rule. If the two down are paired 9 or above and you don’t see your other cards already played in the other hands, you can play. Second rule, if the pair is split (one hidden and one showing) the pair needs to be Jacks or better for you to play. If all of them are suited, and no one else is showing a higher suited card than what you have, then you can play.

That last may be a bit confusing, so let’s quickly go over it; you have three hearts, the Queen, seven and 10. The 10 is showing. This is the starting of a good flush, and worth the buy-in to see the next card. Unless you look around the table and see that someone has the King or Ace of hearts. If you are up in chips you can make a gut shot and play the next card to see if they are flushing up. If you are even or down, I would fold at that point and wait for the next opportunity.

The last rule is that on the 5th card, you decide. In or out. Doesn’t matter what the bets are, or the raises from that point on. In or out.

Texas Hold’em

Hold’em is where I live. Rule number one, no matter what you have in the hole, if it didn’t flop, then drop. You will recall that in Hold’em, two cards are dealt to you face down. A round of betting occurs and then three cards are flopped. Let’s say you have two Aces. The cards flop and you see King, 10, 9. You should check or fold. If you are down chips, then fold to save yourself from temptation.

Two Aces are a pair, that’s it, but new players see them as if they are a sure win. What happens is the guy across from you just paired up his King, 9. You stay in, and an Ace is turned for the next card, so you move all in. He calls, because he has top pair. A King comes on the river, and you are leaving the table because your triple A’s just got stomped by a full house. Far fetched? Not really. Ask some players how often they win with pocket Aces? Most of them will tell you ‘never’. If your hole cards don’t improve with the flop, then this isn’t your hand. Get out of it.

Second rule, don’t chase things. Flush or straight, don’t chase it down the river. Your hole cards should have something connecting them beside suite to begin with. A King of Hearts and a 3 of Hearts are not connected, no matter how much you want them to be. The furthest your cards should be from each other is two, or three if you are even or down. If you are up, and playing with someone else’s money, then three or four perhaps. On the flop, if you see your flush or straight draw improve, then a small bet is okay, but try for the check (unless you flopped it of course). If you don’t have it on the 4th card, get of the hand on a bet, or stay with a check.

The third rule is a judgment call, but one I use to test my hand. ‘If it’s good enough to call its good enough to raise.’ If on 4th street your opponent has bet $10, ask yourself if your cards are worth $20. The call or raise part are up to you, but in your mind, raise the bet and look at your cards. If they aren’t worth $20, then they aren’t worth $10 either. Fold them.

Controlled aggression is the winning hand at poker. Don’t make aggressive moves just to be aggressive. If you have the hand, get as much as you can, and then wait for the next one. Watch the limits of your opponents, see what they will bet, and where they fold, also watch and note your own. These are the true tells.

Above all, remember rule number one, what ever happens, you are responsible. Learn from the mistakes, and note the moves that win.

Posted by Glenn Hefley in Example - Gambling