Poker is an ancient game of skill and strategy. While the initial hand dealt does help determine the outcome of the round, a good poker player can turn a seemingly bad hand into a winner. The strategy lies in the expressions of your opponents and in the cards lying face up on the table. Master these simple tasks, and you will be able to play poker like only a stud can.
SECTION I: The Basic Rules For Play There are many varieties of this highly popular card game, but I will teach you how to play the very common "five card stud". The game begins, as most do, with an "ante" of the lowest possible chip in your possession. This may be changed later on but is normally played this way. Then, the dealer "deals" the cards in a clockwise manner, one to every player, and around again as needed. Common courtesy in poker says that you don't touch your cards until they have all been placed in front of you. Then you look at your card or cards and move to betting. The person with the highest ranked card showing ( 2's or deuces being the lowest and ace being the highest unless otherwise called) "opens" the betting. This means that they will look at their hand and bet accordingly. A common bet for the first round is either the lowest chip or to "check". To check means that you would like to pass without placing a bet. Other players may bet and by doing so the bet would pass around the table to all players. If the check passes around the table, then another card is dealt free of charge. There are three common reasons to check. First, it is if you don't have anything good in your hand. Second, it is to see the bets of the other players and compare hands (a high bet meaning a seemingly good hand, low bet meaning the opposite). And third, to "bluff" your opponents for any reason. When betting, you can also "fold". This means that you drop out of the game and cannot come back in. If choosing to fold, you lose your bet, but will not have to bet