Poker for Fun
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Playing Online Poker for Fun

Poker has become the most popular online card game.

Once only played at home or in casinos, players now have the option of playing poker for fun in online games with players from around the world. There are many styles of poker and all styles require a combination of luck and skill to win. Online gaming is about fun although it can be just as addictive and dangerous as playing in casinos where real money is at stake. Online poker for fun is most often played for points or online chips rather than actual dollar amounts, although that option is available as well. For the most part, it is more difficult to "lose your shirt" and if players do lose it all, no one can see…unless they are using a webcam.

Of the various styles of poker, Texas Hold'em is the most popular. The competitive nature of this game where players share 5 community cards and are dealt only 2 facedown cards, or "hole" cards, is part of its appeal. 7 card stud where players are dealt seven cards in this order: 2 down, 4 up, 1 down, is also very popular. It is important to know basic poker gaming terminology when playing Texas Hold'em or any other type of poker for fun or for real money. This article will cover basic gaming rules, terms, and styles of poker.

To Play Poker for Fun, Know Poker Lingo.

Knowing the basic terminology, or poker lingo, is necessary in understanding the game and in making it easier to learn other styles of poker. It is also important to understand the basic goal of poker which is to either acquire more than one card of the same rank or suit, cards that are consecutive in rank, or cards of the same suit. "Rank" is the number of the card: 2, 3.4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, There are four "suits": spade, heart, club, or diamond. "All-in" is betting all your chips. "Ante" is a forced bet where players must bet an equal amount of money or points. There are several poker "hands." They are listed from highest to lowest in points:

-The Royal Flush - in poker this is the nuts or best hand.
-Straight flush- cards are in consecutive order and of the same suit
-Four of a kind- four cards of the same rank and one miscellaneous card
-Full house- three of a kind and two of a kind
-Flush- five cards of the same suit
-Straight- five cards sequential in rank i.e. Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, and 7 and of any suit
-Three of a kind- three cards of thee same rank and two miscellaneous cards
-Two pair- two pairs of sets of two and one miscellaneous card
-One pair-one set of two and three miscellaneous cards
-High card hand- all five cards are different and the highest card determines winner

These hands are used in 5 card stud poker. Amounts are different for Texas Hold'em and other games of 7 card stud poker. Playing poker for fun can be a great way to relax while meeting new people and developing overall poker skills.