Multi Player Poker Guide - Rules and Strategies

One of the most entertaining ways to play poker on line is to do it on a site that features a game that is played in real time. This is very unlike playing a poker game that is automated by the computer. The game takes place around a simulated poker table so that you can converse with the dealer and other players. Depending on the site's software you may be dealing with a live dealer on a webcam, an animated character or a scrolling Java chat. Simpler sites offer interactions with flash animations of cards and other characters that may be created by the computer.

The objective of most poker games is to have a higher-ranking hand than the dealer. In basic poker, the dealer deals out five cards to each player up to six players. Bets are placed in the ante (the money in the pot) The players examine their hands and decide to either fold, or to make an additional bet, doubling the ante. Depending on the kind of game you are playing, you will be dealt more cards.

There are many variations on this traditional card game:

In Five-Card Stud, the objective is to beat the dealer with a hand holding five cards. Money is added to the ante every time the cards are dealt.

In Seven-Card stud, the objective is to beat the dealer with a hand that holds seven cards.

In Caribbean Poker, the Dealer can only qualify and continue with an Ace King combination or better. Each player is dealt five cards. Without the Ace and King in hand the Dealer loses and the player automatically wins one to one to one on the ante that is handed over.

In Let It Ride Poker, each player must place three separate and equal wagers per round. Each player is dealt five cards. In this game, each player is betting that they are holding a pair of tens or better.

In Pai Gow Poker, the deck includes a Joker that is used as an Ace to complete a straight, Flush, Straight Flush or Royal Flush. As in Seven-card stud, Seven cards are dealt instead of five.

In most online poker games, you can beat the house's or dealer's hand with one of the following winning card combinations:

ROYAL FLUSH
The highest possible ranked hand. To achieve this hand you need an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit.

STRAIGHT FLUSH
Five cards of the same suit in ascending order.

FOUR OF A KIND
Four cards of the same rank. Example: Four Kings.

FULL HOUSE
Three of a kind and a pair. The player with the higher value three of a kind, wins in the event of a tie. An example is Three Kings and Two Aces.

FLUSH
A hand containing five cards of the same suit. If two players have the same hand the winner is the player holding the highest valued cards.

STRAIGHT
Five cards of any suit in ascending order. The ace can be either high or low and the high straight wins the tie.

THREE OF A KIND
Three of a kind is simply three cards of the same rank.

TWO PAIR
Two sets of pairs of cards of an equal value.

PAIR
One pair of cards in a hand of an equal value.

HIGH CARD
Highest card takes all in the event there is a complete absence of the above hands.