Different Types of Poker Games

Most everyone is familiar with Texas Hold'em, which has become commonly referred to as the Cadillac of Poker, thanks to it's widespread popularity on television programs. From regularly scheduled programs such as the World Poker Tour to the televised final table match of the World Series of Poker, most everyone has become familiar with how to play Texas Hold'em, particularly the No Limit variety.

However, Texas Hold'em is not the only version of poker, and until recently it was not even the most popular version of the game. There are many different types of poker that can be played. Here is a brief look at the different options that are available in card rooms around the world.

Five Card Draw Poker

Five Card Draw Poker is the traditional favorite when it comes to playing poker at home. The game is typically played with up to five players. Betting in five card draw consists of an initial ante plus two additional betting rounds. Each player is dealt five cards face down, and may discard/replace as many (or all) of the cards as they wish during the initial betting round.

Omaha Poker

The Omaha version of poker is played with up to ten players. Each player is dealt four cards face down. After four rounds of betting, there are five community cards face up on the table, which are shared by all players. The player combines any two (of the four) cards from their hand with the community cards to make the best possible poker hand.

Omaha Hi/Lo Poker

There is also a version of Omaha poker called Hi/Lo. In this version, a player can also win with a "lo/low" hand by holding complete garbage, with cards no higher than 8. For example, a player holding A, 2, 3, 4, 6 would likely have a lo hand and win the pot. If another player also had the high hand (for example, two pair), the pot would be split between them.

Seven Card Stud Poker

Seven Card Stud is another popular variation of poker. Seven Card Stud is usually played with up to eight people. The game carries an initial ante, followed by five rounds of betting. There are no community cards in Seven Card Stud. Each player is dealt a total of seven cards, with three being face down so that only the player can see, and the remaining four being dealt face up so that everyone can see. Players use any five of the seven cards they hold to make the best possible poker hand. There is also a hi/lo version of the game.

There are a number of other poker variations that are worth getting to know. Caribbean Stud Poker, Razz Poker, 3-Card Poker and Pineapple make just a few. There are many poker variations aside from Texas Hold'em, each requiring a different strategy to be successful in the game. The many different poker variations provide ample opportunities for a lifetime of exploring the game without ever getting bored.

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Types of Poker Tournaments

Poker is a competitive card game that has evolved over the centuries into today's poker phenomenon. As the game spread to different parts of the world, and shifted from the casino to the internet, it has undergone a series of revolutions that continue to challenge the concept of the game. Today, there are dozens of varieties of the original, classic poker game, ranging from classics like 5 Card Draw and 7 Card Stud to the hi-tech Video Poker machines.

The majority of these poker variations are intended for competitive play, pitting player against player in a contest to see who can create the best final poker hand. In order to organize players in competitions, poker tournaments were created. These tournaments are structured in an elimination style, starting with a base of players and progressing to eliminate player after player who runs out of chips. By the end of the game, there will be only one chip champion, the tournament winner.

In online poker, there is a wide variety of different tournament opportunities. Tournaments are available in many poker styles, but the most common is Texas Hold'Em poker. Tournaments not only differ by type of poker game, but also by tournament type. There dozens of tournament styles offered for play on internet poker sites and in casino poker. Poker players can choose tournaments to enter based on several different factors.

The first factor is money. Many tournaments require a buy-in amount that players must pay to enter the tournament. Buy-in amounts differ between tournaments and sites, but are often determined in relation to the jackpot amount. There is, however, a free poker game called a Freeroll Tournament that anyone can enter without paying a fee. The poker bonus prize is sponsored by the hosting casino, and the tournament is therefore often used for promotional purposes. At the other range of the scale are high stakes poker tournaments with prizes that can run from thousands to millions of dollars.

Another important tournament factor is tournament capacity. To play poker in an intimate competition, players choose small tournaments like Heads-Up, the one-on-one battle between two players for one pot. Short-Handed tournaments minimize the table to five players, while Sit-N-Go typically seat 9 or 10 players. Other tournaments may seat hundreds or even thousands of players.

Players should also consider tournament schedules. Some tournaments, such as Sit-N-Go, simply commence when enough players have joined the table. Others, like Multi-table and Scheduled tournaments, have pre-set starting times and dates.

The last factor is the jackpot total. Some tournaments offer cash prizes, while others offer different giveaways. Satellite tournaments, for example, offer winners guaranteed seats in high stakes tournaments. In a Guaranteed tournament, players receive assurance from the casino securing a minimum prize amount no matter what the total number of tournament participants will be.

There are also tournaments with specific quirks, like the Turbo tournament where the blind amount increases every three minutes, or Freeze-Out where players are not permitted multiple buy-ins.

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The Different Types of Online Poker Bonuses

Nearly every poker site offers sign-up bonuses to attract new poker players. The last years this has become one of the most important promotions for poker rooms in attracting new poker players and every poker player should definitely profit by these free offers.

Taking advantage of all kinds of sign-up bonuses can be a substantial part of poker players' winnings, especially for new players who play at the lower limits. For all players clearing bonuses is a popular way of increasing their bankroll and a large number of players already have the knowledge that taking advantage of sign-up bonuses can be fairly rewarding.

The online poker rooms are able to provide these sign up bonuses because all poker players pay rake, a little percentage taken from each pot that goes to the poker room. The poker bonuses are usually approximately 60 - 100% of the total amount a player has raked while clearing the bonus. Even though the poker room offers a free bonus they still make profit on these online poker sign up bonuses.

There are 3 categories of sign-up bonuses in online poker.

First of all, there are online poker sign up bonuses which the player needs to make a deposit for. These sign-up bonuses are named "deposit poker bonuses". For these bonuses a person needs to make a deposit before the bonus can be cleared. The poker bonus is released after meeting the requirements.

Related to the first kind of sign-up bonuses, there are online poker rooms such as Bodog who provide an upfront poker bonus for which a person needs to make a deposit. These poker sign up bonuses are named instant upfront deposit poker sign-up bonuses. Poker players are allowed to use the money immediately on real money tables after the first deposit is made. However, there are requirements to cash-out bonus and winnings. Be sure to read the bonus terms and conditions of these online poker sign up bonuses.

Finally, there are poker bonuses for which no deposit is required. These poker sign up bonuses are named "no deposit poker bonuses". Poker players can check out the poker site without the risk to lose their own hard earned money. A certain amount of player points need to be accumulated before a player can cash-out their bonus and winnings. This is to prevent players from withdrawing immediately after receiving the free cash.

In general, for most online poker sign up bonuses a deposit is required and bonus money is added to a bonus account. After the bonus is cleared the online poker rooms make a full 100% profit because the poker players continue to pay rake. Therefore it is suggested to take advantage of each sign up bonus offered before settling down at a particular poker room. What makes internet poker as popular as it is now, is the opportunity that has been created by many online poker rooms, to play poker online in real money games without making a deposit. For new players, it is suggested to start with the no deposit bonuses. This way they can check out the poker site and get familiar with playing for real money. Before signing-up please read the bonus terms and conditions of these poker sign-up bonuses. Some online poker bonuses are easier to take advantage of than others so take your time before making choosing a sign up bonus.

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An Overview of Different Types of Poker Tournaments

Over the course of the part five years, a significant number of men and women have been drawn towards online poker. Literally thousands of people can be found playing online poker for the first time each and every month.

You may be one of the legions of people who have become interested in online poker in recent times. As a consequence, you may be interested in finding out more about the various types of online poker tournaments that are conducted online with regularity. When it comes to online poker tournaments, there are essentially four different types of competitions:

- Elimination Tournaments

- Shootout Tournaments

- Rebuy Tournaments

- Satellite Tournaments

Through this article, we provide you with a brief overview of the different types of online poker tournaments to see if these types of online competitions might be something of interest to you. Because there are different type of tournaments, you should be able to find a competition that interests you and that is appropriate for your current skill level.

Elimination Tournaments

The most common type of online poker competition is the elimination tournament. There are significant numbers of this type of poker tournament being conducted online throughout the course of the year. Indeed, if you were so inclined, you likely would be able to find a different elimination tournament to play in on a consistent basis.

In an elimination poker tournament, play continues until one participant has all of the chips. In short, all of the other players are eliminated. The elimination poker tournament begins with each player being given the same amount of chips. In the brick and mortar world, in an elimination poker tournament, the remaining players actually will be seated at fewer and fewer tables.

Of course, in the online elimination poker tournament, there are no actual tables. However, there can be groupings in certain online poker tournaments -- electronic groupings of participants rather akin to tables in a real world casino. In such a case, in an elimination poker tournament online, there are fewer player groups as the tournament progresses and participants are eliminated.

Shootout Tournaments

Online shootout poker tournaments are rather like elimination tournaments. In fact, shootout poker tournaments really are a variety of elimination tournament.

In shootout poker tournaments on the Net, players are put into groups at the start of the competition. (In the brick and mortar world, these players would be seated at different tables.)

Tournament play continues until there is only one player left in each group. At that juncture, the players are all brought together for a final round of play. The tournament continues until there is only one player left standing, the player who will have all of the poker chips.

Rebuy Tournaments

Online rebuy poker tournaments are rather different from elimination play. In an online rebuy poker tournament, players do start off with the same amount of chips. However, during an initial period of the tournament, players who do lose their chips have the option of "rebuying" their chips to continue in the tournament.

Online poker experts believe that rebuy tournaments tend to begin far more aggressively than elimination tournaments. Players in a rebuy tournament do not risk elimination early on in the competition because they have the ability to rebuy their chips and carry forth.

In many instances, an online rebuy poker tournament will end up with a larger pot at the end of the competition because players contribute more money through the rebuy process early on in the tournament.

Satellite Tournaments

Online satellite poker tournaments are becoming more and more common as a larger number of people have taken to playing online poker. A satellite tournament is rather like a preliminary tournament in a larger poker competition.

In a satellite tournament, a group of players compete against each other, the winner advancing onward to the main event, to a larger poker tournament.

In many instances, the prize awarded in a satellite tournament is a paid entry fee to the next level of competition.

Selecting a Tournament that is Right for You

When it comes to selecting an online poker tournament that is right for you, there are a number of factors that you should consider.

First, you need to make an honest assessment of your skill level. There are a wide array of different types of tournaments geared towards people of different skill levels. It is not recommended that you enter into a tournament with people who are far more advanced in your level of play that you are at a given point in time. The process for you of participating in a tournament in which you are greatly outmatched will be very frustrating.

On the other hand, by entering into a tournament geared towards newer players will be equally frustrating. While you might have a better chance of winning, the process of getting to a tournament victory will be boring and unchallenging. In addition, the prizes awarded in such tournament usually are minimal.

By making an honest assessment of your skills, and by entering into an online poker tournament with people at a similar level, you will have an enjoyable and appropriately challenging experience.

Second, when considering entering into an online poker tournament, you need to seriously consider how much money you want to put on the line, how much money you want to pay to participate in such a tournament.

By being thoughtful about which tournament you choose to enter when it comes to online poker, you will be more satisfied with the experience -- even if you do not take home the first place prize when all is said and done.

As mentioned, each and every month, more and more people are flocking to the World Wide Web to play online poker. More and more people are entering online poker tournaments all of the time.

With the growth in online poker tournaments that are being held each and every year, you have a number of different opportunities to test your skills and to perhaps even take home a cash prize after lively competition.

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Poker Tournaments Revealed - Structure, Types and Tips

Traditional land-based tournaments have always been favored by poker players, yet in recent years there is no doubt that the real poker action takes place in the online poker tournaments held by the variety of online poker rooms. Before you make your choice of an online poker tournament, it is important that you know everything there is to know about tournaments of poker online:

Just like in a regular poker tournament, all the players begin the poker game with the same amount of chips, and the game continues up until the point that only one poker player has remaining chips, the winner of the particular poker game and tournament.

In order to make sure that the poker tournament will be concluded after a reasonable amount of time, the antes or blinds are gradually incremented, making the poker players think twice before they continue.

Usually the winner does not take it all and the online poker room divides the prize pool between the top positions, and the winner gets to pick the biggest share.

Poker Tournaments can be about ten people in one table or thousands of players in multiple tables, they can be about Texas poker or 7 card stud but the types of poker tournaments are usually fixed and they are as follows:

Sit n' Go Tournaments: These tournaments of poker online, as their name implies, begin as soon as enough players, usually 9 or 10, have assembled around the table.

Multi-Table Tournaments (MTT): These poker tournaments are scheduled for a predetermined time and involve hundreds and sometimes thousands of people playing Texas Holdem or Omaha poker at various tables.

Knockout Tournaments: This type of poker involves two online poker players with the same amount of chips. The one who cleans out the other's poker chips will be the winner.

Satellites: This poker tournament is different from the rest in that the first prize is not only money, but a buy-in to another poker tournament. This prize usually includes a package of plain ticket, hotel and spending money besides the desired buy-in to that poker tournament. The idea behind this type of tournaments is to give good players the chance to participate in a big poker tournament which they probably cannot afford otherwise.

Re-Buys: Once your chips run out in this kind of poker tournament, you can purchase more chips. You can make a limited or unlimited number of purchases depending on the establishment or online poker room you play in.

Freezeouts: Once your chips run out in this type of poker tournament, you have no choice but to withdraw from the race to the prizes since no re-buys are allowed here.

Now that you are familiar with the different types of online poker tournaments, keep in mind two very important things:

First, avoid risky calls. Think about every bet you make while you play poker. Don't forget that if you move to quickly you might find yourself out of the tournament. Be patient and make your moves wisely, it's worth it in the long run.

Second, don't waste all your money in the first few rounds of the poker tournament. Keep a tight control on your budget, and on the rising blinds. Keep your bets relative to the rise of the tournaments: low blinds - low bets and vice versa.

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