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Aces Wild

Chain Reaction

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Oh Shucks

Raise You Your Freedom

Taken to the Cleaners

The One That Got Away

War and Peace

Poker Quotes

Poker is... a fascinating, wonderful, intricate adventure on the high seas of human nature.
David A Daniel, American Poet

As for poker, I've stayed away from that, even though when I was in Vegas for Ocean's Eleven, I would get accosted by these guys begging me to play. They just want to take my money. They see me, think "actor" and see some easy money.
Matt Damon, American Actor

Aces are larger than life and greater than mountains.
Mike Caro, Professional Poker Player

I've often thought, if I got really hungry for a good milk shake, how much would I pay for one? People will pay a hundred dollars for a bottle of wine; to me that's not worth it. But I'm not going to say it is foolish or wrong to spend that kind of money, if that's what you want. So if a guy wants to bet twenty or thirty thousand dollars in a poker game that is his privilege.
Jack Binion, American Casino Operator

In the absence of any mathematical explanation, one thing is for certain; if you engage in games of chance long enough, the experience is bound to affect the way you see God. Successfully draw to an inside straight three hands in a row, and you’ve got to be blessed. But if you’re the person drawn out on, the one whose trip aces just got snapped for the third time, you will go home feeling cursed.
Andy Bellin, Poker Journalist

The best part about poker is there's no down side.
Samantha Bee, Canadian Comedic Actress

You cannot survive without that intangible quality we call heart. The mark of a top player is not how much he wins when he is winning but how he handles his losses. If you win for thirty days in a row, that makes no difference if on the thirty-first you have a bad night, go crazy, and throw it all away.
Bobby Baldwin, Professional Poker Player

I think one of the interesting things about poker is that once you let your ego in, you're done for.
Al Alvarez, English Poet

I have always wondered if the results of the Versailles Conferences would have been different if Woodrow Wilson had been a poker player.
Clyde Brion Davis, American Author

Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he's losing; nobody wants you to quit when you're ahead.
Jackie Robinson, Baseball Legend

I've lost money so fast in these clubs it's left me reeling. I've read every poker book ever written, but the only way to get better at the game is to go out and play with people who are really good. The problem is, you stand to lose a lot of money doing it.
Matt Damon, American Actor

I'm absolutely gonna win it, because I'm ruthless. I sit at the poker table and my job is to destroy people.
James Woods, American Actor

Poker exemplifies the worst aspects of capitalism that have made our country so great.
Walter Matthau, American Actor

Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
From the film, Cool Hand Luke

Most of the money you'll win at poker comes not from the brilliance of your own play, but from the ineptitude of your opponents.
Lou Krieger, Gambling Author

Don't get mad that you lost, get mad because you didn't win.
Michael Gersitz, Online Poker Player

I don't attempt to be a poker player before this crowd.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, former US President

Poker: the art of civilized bushwhacking.
Nick Dandalos, Professional Poker Player

The most difficult aspects of playing poker professionally are coping emotionally with the losses and coping with the recurring idea that you're not doing anything worthwhile.
Mike Caro, Professional Poker Player

If scientific reasoning were limited to the logical processes of arithmetic, we should not get very far in our understanding of the physical world. One might as well attempt to grasp the game of Poker entirely by the use of the mathematics of probability.
Vannevar Bush, American Engineer and Science Administrator

As far as Poker goes, I really didn't play Poker but a few times in high school.
Professional Poker Player and Online Casino Owner

No, that's poker. To win, you've gotta get damned lucky.
Wilford Brimley, American Actor

People today who play in all the big fancy (legal) card rooms don't understand what it was like back in those days to be a poker player with all the problems we had.
Doyle Brunson, Professional Poker Player and Online Casino Owner

What I know about poker, you can fit into a thimble with room left over, but I'm learning.
Wilford Brimley, American Actor

Poker is a lot like sex, everyone thinks they are the best, but most don't have a clue what they are doing!
Dutch Boyd, Professional Poker Player

I mean there are usually no direct answers to how do you play such-and- such a hand when somebody raises in front. Every poker situation is different. The only way you can learn is to play.
Professional Poker Player and Online Casino Owner

I've always had confidence, but I never let my ego get to the point that I think I'm the superstar, because I know that ego has destroyed many a poker career.
Jim Boyd, Modern-Day Road Gambler

In a game of poker, I can put the players' souls in my pocket.
Beausourire, Haitian Poker Player

I could think of worse ways of going than at the poker table.
Al Alvarez, English Poet

Last year people won more than one billion dollars playing poker. And casinos made twenty-seven billion just by being around those people.
Samantha Bee, Comedian

If you're playing a poker game and you look around the table and can't tell who the sucker is, it's you.
Paul Newman, Actor

Nobody is always a winner, and anybody who says he is, is either a liar or doesn't play poker.
Amarillo Slim, Professional Poker Player

A major reason I haven't taken up live poker as a money making activity is because successful bluffing and identifying when others are doing it are not skills I'm particularly good at.
Bob Dancer from "Million Dollar Video Poker"

Blackjack was just me against the house, but poker came with personalities that ranged from racist scum bag to snake-like vermin.
Cat Hulbert, Professionsal Poker Player

Many great poker players I've encountered will not win humanitarian awards or be nominated for Nobel prizes.
Frank Scoblete, Professional Gambler

To be a poker champion, you must have a strong bladder.
Jack McClelland, Poker Pro

Wanting to win is actually a pretty superficial goal. It's like wanting to be rich...it's not enough.
Larry W. Phillips from "The Tao of Poker"

People would be surprised to know how much I learned about prayer from playing poker.
Mary Austin, Author

The house doesn't beat the player. It just gives him the opportunity to beat himself.
Nick Dandalos, Professional Poker Player

Last night I stayed up late playing poker with Tarot cards. I got a full house and four people died.
Steven Wright, Comedian

Lying, stealing, scheming and attempting to financially destroy your friends and loved ones is what makes poker such a friendly, sociable game.
VP Pappy, Gambler

Poker Videos

12 Steps to Poker Heaven Episode #1 Part 1

Poker instruction

12 Steps to Poker Heaven Episode #1 Part 2

Poker instruction

12 Steps to Poker Heaven Episode #2 Part 1

Poker instruction

12 Steps to Poker Heaven Episode #2 Part 2

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12 Steps to Poker Heaven Episode #3 Part 1

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12 Steps to Poker Heaven Episode #3 Part 2

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Poker Cribs - Doyle Brunson

Tour of the Poker legends home

Phil Baxter: Professional Poker Player

Poker Mocumentary

At Home with the Online Poker Superstars

A look at the lives of online Poker stars

Swimming Pool Poker

Improve Everywhere travels to Vegas

4 Queens Beat a Straight

Funny ad for Piggs Peak Casino

Poker Tells and Bluffs

A short guide

Casino Royale Last Hand

Clip from the film

Cincinnatti Kid - Final Hand

Clip from the film

Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Clip from the film

Comedian Pat MacDonald

Poker Joke

World Women's Open Poker Joke

Final of the World Women's Open

Poker Cheat

BBC Comedy

Poker Cartoons

Poker History

The origins of Poker are widely uncertain. Some say it originated in China, others in France. Wherever it started the game of Poker has evolved, its history is rich with famous places and people. Like the Wild West period of the United States a poker table could be found in every saloon from one end of the states to the other. Today however Poker is heavily regulated by Gambling laws and instead of saloons we play in Casinos both online and offline. Poker has become the most played card game in the world.

History of Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker in its current form dates back to 1987 when a gambler named James Suttle learned the game from a down on his luck poker player while playing Texas Holdem at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. The player offered to teach Suttle the game if he would lend him $5,000.00. (James Suttle denies this.) James, who was a friend of casino owner and game developer Danny Jones, gave the man the loan because he knew that he could sell the game to Jones for a hefty profit. Jones owned the King International Casino in Aruba which and began to market the game with minimal success to other casinos and cruise ships. It wasn't until computer engineer Michael Titus told Jones that his game needed a linked progressive Jackpot that the game took off. It is the Jackpot feature that has made the game a long time success among the new casino games.

How to Play Poker

A poker table can seat 2-10 players depending on the type of game. The two players to the left of the dealer put blind bets. The player directly to the dealer's left puts out the small blind while the other player to the dealer's left puts out the big blind.
The dealer then deals every player two cards, face down. These are called hole or pocket cards.
The action, or the first move, falls on the player to the left of the big blind. He/she can either call the bet, raise it, or fold. Betting continues around the table, clockwise.
After this stage of betting is completed, three cards are dealt face up in the centre of the table, otherwise known as the felt. The first three cards in Texas Hold'em are called the flop. These cards are community cards meaning everyone can use them in combination with their own hole cards to make the best hand.
From the flop on, betting begins with the player to the dealer’s left, who can check or bet.
When this betting stage has finished a fourth card is dealt face up onto the felt. This is called fourth street or the turn card.
There is then another round of betting, then final card is dealt face up. This card is also called fifth street or the river.
A final round of betting occurs. The remaining players show their cards and the person who can make the best five card hand by combining their pocket cards with the cards on the board wins.
Sometimes in Texas Hold'em, the five cards making up the board will actually be the best hand, in which case everyone left in the hand divides up the pot.

Hand Rankings
In poker players construct hands of five cards according to predetermined rules, which vary according to which variant of poker is being played.
These hands are compared using a hand ranking system that is standard across all variants of poker; the player with the highest-ranking hand winning that particular deal in most variants of poker. In some variants the lowest-ranking hand can win or tie.

Royal Flush
Ace high straight flush A,K,Q,J,10 – this is the highest poker hand ranking.

Straight Flush
Five cards in sequence of the same suit 2,3,4,5,6

Four of a Kind
Four cards that are the same rand and one left over card (a kicker). If two players have the same four cards the player with the highest kicker wins.

Full House
Three of a kind together with a pair. The highest three of a kind wins.

Flush
Five cards with the same suit. If two players have a flush the one with the highest card wins.

Straight
A sequence of five cards. Whoever has the straight with the highest card wins.

Three of a Kind
Three cards of the same kind and two other kicker cards that are different.

Two Pairs
Two pairs. The player with the highest two pairs wins. Kicker card breaks a tie.

One Pair
A pair. The player with the highest pair wins. Kickers break a tie.

High Card
A hand that does not have any poker hand ranking value at all is judged by its highest card. If somehow two players are showing down with a high card and have the same high card, the second highest card breaks the tie, etc.

Types of Poker

Omaha
The difference between Texas Hold'em and Omaha is that the participant receives 4 hole cards in Omaha. Having 2 extra cards almost make sure that there is a best hand possible. The Hi/Low versions make these various poker games even more fun. This spurs the betting on as the hitting hand bets wildly to eliminate the chasers.

7 Card Stud
It comes with both Hi and Low versions. 2 cards are first distributed face down and then one with its face up. Each player receives one more card face up after the first round of betting. This recurs till all the participants in the hand have 4 up cards and 2 down cards. The final betting round takes place at this juncture.

5 Card Stud
The game can be played with between two and five players. Betting in Five Card Draw consists of an initial Ante, followed by two rounds of betting. Each player in a game of Draw receives five cards face down, and may discard or draw up to five cards after the first betting round. The player with the highest five-card poker hand at showdown wins the pot.

Razz
Instead of trying to get the winning hand, you are rooting for the worst hand possible. You can scoop the pot in Razz with A-2-3-4-6-7-8. The method of dealing and betting is the same as 7 stud, the difference is that you need the lowest ranked hand to win.

Texas Holdem / Hold’ Em
Texas Holdem is by far and away the most popular poker game played around the world, both online and in casinos. The game can be played anywhere from two to ten players, and is well liked because of its fast paced game play and simple rules. A round of Texas Holdem consists of four betting rounds. Each player receives two cards face down (hole cards), and five community cards dealt face up for all players to use. The player with the highest five card poker hand wins the pot.

Caribbean Stud Poker
As a result of the popularity of poker, casinos created this house banked game. To play, every player places his ante on the layout where indicated; all ante wagers must be placed prior to the dealer announcing "No more bets". Each player and the dealer then receive five cards, dealt face down. The dealer will turn over one of his cards, then push the cards toward the players, after which the players may look at their cards. They may only look at their own cards, and may not discuss what they have with any other player at the table.
Players have the option to play or fold; if they choose to play, they place their bets (twice the amount of their respective ante) in the bet box. If they choose to fold, they forfeit their ante. After all the players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals his hole cards. The dealer only plays with an ace/king or higher; they then compare their cards to the other players' cards (individually, right to left), and the players' hands that beat the dealer's qualifying hand wins.

Poker Glossary

Ante: Required bet by all players to join the hand, and ensures a pot for the hand. There are no antes in games played with blinds.
Bet: To commit an amount of money or chips to the pot in turn during a betting phase. If called or raised, a bet is placed in the pot.
Big Bet: The value of one turn and river bet in a limit game
Big Blind: The larger of two bets that are placed before receiving cards. When blinds are used this bet is placed by the player in second position (the player to the left of the small blind). In limit poker, it is usually half of the small bet
Button: A large button that is usually passed, to the left, from player to player each hand to indicate what player the dealer is dealing for.
Call: To match an opponent’s bet and commit the same amount of money or chips to the pot.
Check: This indicates that the player wishes to stay in the hand but not commit any more chips to the hand. This can only be done when the bet to the player does not require any more money or chips be committed to the pot.
Deal: To give each player the number of cards defined by the game in the fashion defined by the game.
Dealer: The person that is dealing the cards out to the players. If the dealer is not one of the players then the button is used to indicate the player that the dealer is dealing for and the hand is dealt as if the player with the button was dealing.
Deck: A standard deck of 52 playing cards with four suits, each with 13 ranked cards.
Flop: In Texas Hold'em the first three community cards.
Fold: To drop out of the hand and surrender your cards in turn during a betting phase. Any money or chips previously committed to the pot are forfeited by this move. Folding is usually indicated by turning any up cards over, and then giving the cards to the dealer. Cards that are folded are not shown unless the act of folding ends the game.
Limit: In a Limit game there is a value assigned to the limit and usually has a small and big value. A $10-$20 Limit game has a small bet of $10 and big bet of $20.
Muck: To fold or to throw away a loosing hand in a showdown without showing the hand.
No-Limit: In a No-Limit game there is no limit to the amount a player may bet (other than the amount of chips that player has).
Nuts: The best hand possible considering the community cards in Texas Holdem poker.
Pot Limit: Bets in a Pot-Limit game are limited to the amount of chips already committed to the pot. This means that any bet can at most double the pot.
Raise: To call an opponent’s bet and then bet more at the same time in turn during a betting phase.
Small Blind: The smaller of two bets that are placed before receiving cards. When blinds are used this bet is placed by the player to the left of the button. It is usually half of the big blind

Poker Laughs

Is There a Dr. in the House?
Dr. Jones and his wife are enjoying a meal at their favourite restaurant when the doctor’s phone starts ringing.
Jones answers and its his friend Dr. Smith. “Bob, one of our poker regulars dropped out and we need a fourth, you need to get over here now”
says Dr. Smith. Dr. Jones replies, “I’m on my way” and runs to the door, grabbing his coat on the way.

His wife, used to this sort of thing says, “Darling is it serious?” Jones, halfway out the door turns to his wife and says “Yes darling, very serious.
In fact there’s a team of doctors there already!”

Single Hand Clutch
Six men were playing poker when Brown loses $500 on a single hand, clutches his chest and drops dead at the table.
Jones looks around and asks, "Who is going to tell his wife?" They draw straws. Smith, picks the short one.
They ask him to be discreet, and break it to her gently. "Gentlemen! Discreet? Discretion is my middle name, leave it to me."

Smith walks over to the Brown household, knocks on the door, the wife answers, and asks what he wants.
Smith says, "Your husband just lost $500 playing cards." She hollers, "TELL HIM TO DROP DEAD!"
Smith says, "I'll tell him.

Bring Your Own
Did you hear about the blonde who brought a bag of frozen french fries to a poker game?
Someone told her to bring her own chips.

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Poker Articles

What Beats What In Poker
Ever wonder what beats what in poker? Well now there is no need to miss out on the action any longer thanks to the What-Beats-What-In-Poker.com guide to What Beats What in Poker? Wow, that’s a tongue twister! read more...

Rules for Poker Games
The year Queen Victoria ascended to the throne in 1837, is when poker developed into more or less the game we have today. Poker essentially refers to a family of games. Rules for poker games vary depending on which version you are playing. read more...

Deal Me In Poker
Mark Pilarski of Deal Me In answers all your Poker related questions. read more...

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