Free Poker Basic Poker Hand Play Process Guide

In part 2 of this learn how to play poker online free poker course we are continuing with the basic rules lesson from part 1.

In this lesson you will learn exactly how and hand of poker is played out and at the end will be able to start playing (if tentatively!)

We join the action once the blind bets have been posted by the Small Blind (SB) and Big Blind (BB) Now the cards get into action. If "Blinds" means nothing to you hop on back to part 1 for an explanation.

Moving clockwise around the table from the Dealer (DB), each player receives two cards dealt face down, one card at a time. These are your Pocket Cards, also known simply as pockets and alternatively hole cards.

Now the betting begins; and, after all, isn't that why you decided to take up the game of poker? That is why I'm sure you now find yourself seated at a free poker tournament table isn't it? Isn't that betting and winning buzz thing the reason why you've joined a free poker site?

Of course that's why you're there, poker is all about winning money at the end of the day! Nothing more, nothing less (with the possible exception of social interaction in the chat lobby or the table's chat box).

At this stage in the hand (holding 2 pocket cards), each player is betting on what hand they feel their pocket cards could lead to.

The betting starts with the player to the immediate left of the Big Blind (BB).

This player is often referred to as the 'Under The Gun' (UTG) position at the table. This is because the Small and Big Blind position players were forced to lay down bets before they got any cards.

Thus, both the SB and BB are already participating in the hand; albeit not voluntarily, at least not yet; they'll have to wait until the betting comes around to them.

And, with this round of betting, each player has three choices:

1) To fold. You do this if you think you have rubbish cards, also called "rags" cards. By folding in this first round you won't lose anything but nor can you play the rest of the hand.

2) To raise. You raise if you think you've got good cards.

3) Or to call, (match) the Big Blind. You may do this if you think your cards have at least a bit of potential.

A 4th option you might have heard about, checking, often available in subsequent betting rounds, isn't an option at this stage.

Once the betting comes round to the SB (Small Blind) if this player wants to fold then they lose their blind chips, if they have terrible pockets then this may well be the best thing to do. Or, as SB you can Call the BB by putting in the difference between the SB and BB amounts. Or, this player can call whatever raise has been made, or this player can initiate a raise; or even a re-raise, aa a beginner keep it simple and either just Call the BB or fold, watch and learn othrs to see the raise, new raise and reraise in action.

Then, the Big Blind (BB) player gets to act. If there has been no raise then the BB can Check (do nothing and let the play pass by), or Call, Raise or Re-raise.

About Raises
In a No Limit Texas holdem tournament the amount a player can use to raise is limited only by the chips they hold (limit games as the name suggests have a limit) If his stack of chips is 1,500, he's allowed to raise by any amount up to and including the 1,500 (all of his chips).

If the player uses all the chips then this is the infamous All In bet. It's always an all-in bet any time a player raises by the total amount of chips he currently holds.

And, of paramount importance, especially since you are at the how to play poker online level of the game, make certain that YOUR usage of an All-In bet is kept to a minimum.

Please do not become just one more free online poker 'chip-flinger' (someone who tosses chips around without regard to the quality of their cards).

Once the opening round of betting is completed it's time to see 'The Flop'. Things will now start to get really interesting!

The Flop is the set of three cards that are dealt face up in the center of the table by the Dealer.

1) Each player can use these community cards' to build their hand. Make sure to read and print a guide to what card hands beat what so that you have a feel for what you are trying to build!

2) Again, as here-to-fore mentioned, the center of the table where these cards are dealt is typically referred to as 'The Board'.

3) With 'The Flop' exposed, it's time for the next round of betting. And, the betting that will occur is based on the 5 cards currently available to each player, i.e., 2 Pocket cards and 3 Board' cards.

The betting begins with the player to the immediate left of the Dealer Button, regardless of whether the Dealer is still active in the hand or not.

The player to the left of the Dealer Button will keep the initial betting action throughout the hand. Later, you'll come to learn that this is the worst position to be in at the table.

Apart from that, the betting process is the same as it was in 'pre-flop' betting. However, bear in mind, all of the players who have been dealt 'Pocket' cards may not be currently playing the hand as they could have folded during the opening round of betting.

So, whichever remaining player is 'to the immediate left' of the Dealer Button (DB), it is that person who will be the first player to act; through the hand providing he doesn't fold.

He can check or bet.

A) If he checks, he's simply passing the options of checking or betting to the player who sits to his left.

B) If he doesn't check, and decides to bet, then those who follow will have 3 choices:

1) They can fold

2) They can call

3) Or they can raise. But, since a bet was made, those who follow don't have the option of 'checking'.

Once the round of betting has finished, it's time for another card to be dealt face up on The Board.

This fourth card is called The Turn card, or 4th Street, and, again, the card may be used by all of the remaining players (those players who have not folded). It's another 'community card'.

Thus, each remaining player now has access to 6 cards, 4 Board cards, and 2 Pocket cards. Now there are 4 cards on The Board, one additional card to come.

It is now time for the fifth and final community card to be dealt: The River, or 5th Street.

And, given that all the cards have now been dealt, each player remaining in the hand can see what their finest five card hand is. Therefore, it's now time for the final round of betting. And, once the betting ends, the hand is over.

It's time to see who wins.

Each player who has remained in the hand shows their cards, beginning with the last person to initiate a bet. At a cash or free online poker site the software will handle the process of showing the cards.

The winner is determined via use of the universal poker hand rankings. You'll find that in subsequent chapter; entitled 'What Beats What'.

If a player wins a pot because every other player has folded, he can decide whether or not to show his cards or not.

Most people don't, and it's typically advised by me never to show your cards. If you're not required to do so; keep 'em guessing!

Yet, when you reach an 'advanced level' of play, you'll get a whole different perspective from me. You see, there are occasions when 'deceitful strategies' will be added to your acquired set of playing skills. And, a part of the 'deceitful strategies' will have you showing your cards. Not now though.

Summing up How To Play Poker For Beginners Free Online Poker Rules Part 2

In part 1 you learned the bare bones of poker, the structure and ideas of the game. Now that you've read part 2 you should now understand the actual mechanics of a hand of poker. In part 3 we will start working on more poker words and terminology, those crazy card and hand nicknames are going to be unveiled! But as long as you've understood the first 2 parts now you can go and start to play poker. It's a very good idea though to firstly read and print off a sheet on what card hands beat what! Then you will have some sort of idea whether you should fold, call, raise or check!

At this stage I strongly urge you not to try and play on sites where real money is involved, you certainly will lose all or nearly all of it 99% certain!

Be patient (by the way that is a key poker skill you have to master) and start out on one of the excellent free poker sites you will find online. Later when you are more skilled there's plenty of time for you to win a pile of cash and the time spent playing free online poker will pave the way for this.

Nick is from top free online poker site NoPayPOKER.com. NoPayPOKER.com uses a faux currency called FreeD which means the poker is 100% risk free, this makes it the perfect place to how to play poker for beginners, plus if you're more experienced it's a great place to practice, oh and the the fact that the FreeD can be cashed in for real Dollars is a nice touch too!