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Betshop Poker offers a wide variety of game types to make sure you find the action you are looking for, plus exciting features to help you get the most out of your game.
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GAMES
Texas Hold'em is by far the most popular variant of poker played today. It is a relatively simple game to learn but takes a lifetime to master.
Each player is dealt two ‘hole cards' which only they can see and use. Five community cards are dealt in stages face up in the middle of the table which everyone can use. The winner is the player who makes the best five card poker hand from the seven cards available to them.
For example:
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Players Hole Cards: |
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| The player's best 5 card hand is a 2 Pair – Aces and Queens with a 7. |
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To determine where to start dealing the cards from, a disc known as the dealer button is used. Dealing starts to the left of the dealer button and the player on the dealer button has the advantage of acting last during subsequent betting rounds. The dealer button rotates round the table clockwise after each hand so that every player has the positional advantage of being the dealer.
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To get the action started the two players to the left of the dealer button must post bets before they have seen their cards. These bets are known as blinds. The person to the immediate left of the dealer button posts the ‘small' blind. This is usually half the amount of the ‘big' blind which the next player to the left posts.
All players are then dealt two cards face down which are known as ‘hole cards'. The action starts with the player to the left of the big blind. He has the option to fold, call (match the size of the last bet – in this case the big blind) or raise (bet more than the last bet – the size of raise allowed will depend on the type of game being played). Each player in turn (the action always goes in a clockwise direction) will have the same options and the betting round will be complete when all players have put the same amount of money into the pot. This betting round is called ‘pre-flop'.
Three community cards which all players can use are then dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is known as ‘the flop'. Another betting round now ensues with the action starting to the left of the dealer button. Players now have the option to check (when there hasn't yet been a bet, players can check – decline their option to bet, while still remaining active in the hand) or bet.
Once the betting round is completed a fourth community card is dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is known as ‘the turn'. Another betting round follows.
Once betting on the turn is complete a fifth and final community card is dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is known as ‘the river'. A final round of betting follows and if there is more than one player left in the pot at the end of it a ‘showdown' occurs to determine the winner.
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| The Flop: |
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The Turn: |
The River: |
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In a showdown the player who made the last bet shows their hand first followed by the other players in a clockwise order. If a player cannot beat a hand already showing they have the option not to show their hand.
There are three types of Texas Hold'em. All of which are played the same way as outlined above, the only difference being the amount players are allowed to bet. No Limit, Pot Limit and Fixed Limit. See Texas Hold'em & Omaha Betting Structures.
Omaha follows the same structure as Texas Hold'em, the only difference being that each player is dealt four hole cards instead of two. There are still the same five community cards and players have to make the best five card poker hand from the nine cards available to them. However, when making your final hand you MUST use an exact combination of two hole cards and three community cards. This differs from Texas Hold'em where you could use either one or both (or even none) of your hole cards.
For example:
| The player's best 5 card hand is Aces and Queens with an 8 |
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This is where many new Omaha players slip up. They see four clubs on the board (the community cards are often referred to as the board) and they have the Ace of clubs in their hand and they think they have the nut flush, forgetting that you must use two hole cards therefore needing two spades in your hand to make a flush.
Omaha is played either Pot Limit or Limit; it is not played No Limit as having four hole cards gives so many extra possibilities and permutations that the game would be too wild if it were played No Limit.
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Texas Hold'em & Omaha Betting Structures
• Blinds and Betting Rounds
To get the action started the two players to the left of the dealer button must post bets before they have seen their cards. These bets are known as blinds. The person to the immediate left of the dealer button posts the ‘small' blind. This is usually half the amount of the ‘big' blind which the next player to the left posts.
All players are then dealt two cards face down which are known as ‘hole cards'. The action starts with the player to the left of the big blind. He has the option to fold, call (match the size of the last bet – in this case the big blind) or raise. (Bet more than the last bet – the size of raise allowed will depend on the type of game being played.) Each player in turn (the action always goes in a clockwise direction) will have the same options and the betting round will be complete when all players have put the same amount of money into the pot. This betting round is called ‘pre-flop'.
Three community cards which all players can use are then dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is known as ‘the flop'. Another betting round now ensues with the action starting to the left of the dealer button. Players now have the option to check (when there hasn't yet been a bet, players can check – decline their option to bet, while still remaining active in the hand) or bet.
Once the betting round is completed a fourth community card is dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is known as ‘the turn'. Another betting round follows.
Once betting on the turn is complete a fifth and final community card is dealt face up in the middle of the table. This is known as ‘the river'. A final round of betting follows and if there is more than one player left in the pot at the end of it a ‘showdown' occurs to determine the winner.
In a showdown the player who made the last bet shows their hand first followed by the other players in a clockwise order. If a player cannot beat a hand already showing they have the option not to show their hand.
• Fixed Limit
In Limit Hold'em, or fixed limit Hold'em as it is sometimes called the betting is structured and cannot be deviated from. There are two betting limits, a higher limit and a lower limit. All bets and raises pre-flop and on the flop must be in units of the lower limit, and all bets and raises on the turn and river must be in units of the higher limit.
So say for example if you were playing a $10 / $20 Limit Hold'em game. All bets and raises for the first two rounds of betting (pre-flop and on the flop) would be in units of $10. And all bets and raises for the second two rounds of betting (the turn and river) would be in units of $20.
Simply, with fixed limit poker, the amount you can bet or raise is fixed for each round of betting another example if you're playing a $20-$40 fixed limit game, every player can only bet or raise $20 for the first few rounds (usually the first two) of betting, and can only bet or raise $40 for the last rounds of betting. It keeps it nice and simple.
The number of raised are is usually capped in a Limit Hold'em game. There can usually be a maximum of one bet and three raises on each betting round.
• No Limit
In No Limit Hold'em the betting is very simple. A player can bet any amount they like at any time, up to the amount of chips that they have on the table. Extra chips cannot be brought to the table during a hand.
• Pot Limit
In Pot Limit Hold'em players can bet any amount up to what is in the pot. So if there was $100 in the pot then you could bet anything up to $100. You would not be able to bet more than $100.
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Omaha Hi-Lo is a variation of Omaha and is a split-pot game. Half the pot is awarded to the best high hand and half the pot is awarded to the best low hand. As in Omaha, an exact combination of two hole cards and three community cards must be used when making up your final hand. However, you can use different hole cards to make a low hand and a high hand.
Omaha Hi-Lo is sometimes referred to as Omaha Eight or Better because it is played with a qualifying requirement of 8 or better for the low half of the pot. This means that a low hand must be made up of 5 different cards, 8 or lower. And because of this requirement it is not always possible (about half the time in fact) to make a low hand depending on the community cards. For example, when the community cards are all above an 8 or contain pairs. When a low hand is not possible, the whole pot is awarded to the best high hand.
The best low hand is A-2-3-4-5 and is known as the ‘wheel'. Note that this is also a straight and may be used for the high hand as well. When a player wins both the high and the low he is said to have ‘scooped'.
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The worst low hand would be any 5 card hand containing an 8, the second worst low hand, any 5 card hand containing a 7 and so on and so on until you reach 5, if you had a 5 card low hand containing a 5 you would have the wheel(5 different cards, 8 or lower).
Some example of low hands;
The worst possible low hand would be 8-7-6-5-4 although you might win the high with this hand you would very rarely win the low. 8-7-6-5-3 is also known as an 8 low but would beat 8-7-6-5-4.
An example of a 7 low hand:
7-5-4-3-2. 7-5-4-3-A is also known as a 7 low but would beat 7-5-4-3-2
An example of a 6 low:
6-5-3-2-A
A 7 Low Hand:
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Where the game becomes a little complicated is that it is possible for two or more players to have the same low hand (or high hand occasionally) and when this occurs the half of the pot where players are tied is split between them. So if two players tie for the best low hand, they will, in effect, only win a quarter of the pot each.
The skilled Omaha Hi-Lo player will try and make both a low and a high hand to scoop or win three quarters of the pot. Hands like A-A-2-3 or A-K-2-3 are powerful for this reason.
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Although surpassed in popularity by Texas Hold'em during the last 10 years, 7 Card Stud remains a favorite among home game and casino players alike. In 7 Card Stud, players are dealt seven cards (three face down and four face up) throughout the course of the hand, but only the best five card hand possible for each player is used to determine the winner. Unlike Hold'em and Omaha, all cards are unique to each individual player and no community cards are used. 7 Card Stud is usually played as a limit game, with bets and raises at the lower limit for the first two rounds and at the higher limit for the last three rounds (fifth street onwards). See 7 Card Stud & 5 Card Draw Betting Structures
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5 Card Draw is a classic poker game which you've probably seen played lots of times in old westerns. Each player is dealt 5 cards face-down and has the opportunity to change any or all of their cards in the hope of making a better hand. There are only 2 rounds of betting. See 7 Card Stud & 5 Card Draw Betting Structures
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7 Card Stud & 5 Card Draw Betting Structures
• Antes, Bring-Ins and Betting Rounds
7 Card Stud begins with each player posting an ‘ante'. This is a small amount which varies depending on the size of the game.
Three cards are then dealt to each player, two cards face down which only the individual player can see, and one card face up which is visible to the entire table.
The player showing the lowest up-card must make a forced bet known as the ‘bring-in'. As with the ante, the size of the bring-in varies depending on the game stakes. For the purposes of determining the bring-in, ties in card rank are broken by suit, with spades being the highest, then hearts, then diamonds and clubs the lowest. Note that this is the only time in poker where card suits determine which hand is higher.
For example: Let say both player A and player B both are showing the lowest up card, a 3.
Player A has the 3 of spades and player B has the 3 of clubs, player B would make the bring-in as clubs is lower than spades.
Again from highest to lowest; Spades, Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs.
Betting continues in a clockwise direction from the bring-in with players having the usual options of folding, calling or raising.
After the action has been completed on the opening round of betting, each player remaining in the game is dealt a card face-up (fourth street). Unlike the opening round, where the lowest hand was forced to start the action, the highest hand showing now starts the action by either betting or checking. If no player is showing a pair the betting will always be at the lower limit, however if a pair is showing players have the option to bet and raise at the higher limit.
Once the action has been completed, all remaining players are dealt a further card face-up (fifth street) and a new round of betting ensues (again with the highest hand showing starting the action).
The sixth card is the last card to be dealt face-up, and another round of betting follows.
The seventh and final card is dealt face down, so all players now have 3 face-down cards known only to themselves, and 4 face-up cards with which to make their final 5 card poker hand. After a final round of betting a showdown occurs (if necessary) to determine the winner.
With 5 Card Draw, there are only two rounds of betting, one before cards are changed, (the ‘draw') and one after. The game is played with a dealer button that moves clockwise around the table after each hand. The player to the immediate left of the dealer button posts a ‘small blind' and the player to his/her left posts the ‘big blind'.
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DEAL MAKING
Deal Making enables Players on the final table to make deals regarding the final prizes. Deal Making is used in Single or Multi-Table Tournaments and enables Players to settle tournaments without playing to the end.
In Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs), deal making is only allowed on the final table. When the number of people for deal making is reached, deal making is enabled and the Make Deal icon is displayed.
How a Player Proposes a Deal
- During a hand a Player clicks the Make Deal icon.
- A Deal Making dialogue box pops up for the Player who proposed the deal. He can then configure the deal during the hand as the hand continues.
- Once the hand is complete, the tournament pauses and all the Players receive a message saying that Player X is proposing a deal.
- A maximum time allowed to propose the deal is configurable. It is initially set to 60 seconds. If this time expires, the proposed deal is cancelled and the game continues.
- If the Player completes the proposal within the allotted time, a Deal Making dialogue box will pop up on all the Players' screens, and they can choose to accept or reject the deal.
- The maximum time allowed to accept or reject the deal is also configurable. It is initially set to 30 seconds.
- If the Players do not act in the allotted time, the deal is rejected. If a deal is rejected, the game continues immediately.
Default Deal Values
Default deal values are based on the percentage of chips each Player holds at the start of the round when the deal was proposed. However, the proposing Player can alter these values and set up a custom deal. When a deal is proposed, the current hand is finished and the deal is shown to all Players, including the proposing Player. Players then make their decisions about the deal. Note: Chip percentage refers to the number of chips that each Player has relative to all the chips on the table.
Custom Deal
If a Player drops out during a hand after a deal was proposed, the proposing Player is presented with the Deal Making dialog box again. This enables the proposing Player to change the deal to exclude the Player who dropped out. If the proposing Player does not change the deal, it is presented as the proposing Player first set it up. Changes in chip percentages during the hand do not affect the deal.
Default or System Deal
At the end of the hand, the deal is altered to reflect prizes based on each Player's chip percentage. The proposing Player is not asked to propose again because each Player can only propose a deal once during an elimination round. Players can only propose deals after another Player is knocked out. If a Player requested a deal but never actually proposed it, it is still considered as a proposal. If all Players accept a deal, the tournament ends and the position and monies are divided as specified in the deal.
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TIME BANK
Time Bank enables Players to access additional time if they want more time to think about their hands. There is a limit to this time. Players click a Time Bank button in the time area of the game to access the time bank. If they do not click the button they are automatically timed out as usual. This button is activated when Players receive their first time-out warning. For example, ten seconds remaining. If Players opt for extra time, their time bank is accessed when the normal time allotment expires.
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FOLD AND SHOW
This is an option in tournaments and Ring Games to enable Players to show folded hands in play. This creates more realistic game play and enables the acknowledgement of good call folds.
Note: This feature is available throughout the hand but only in a heads-up situation or at showdown.
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CASH GAME/TOURNAMENT LOBBY IN CHAT
A new tab in the Chat Area enables Players to view a list of tables in the same stake value and game type as they are playing in. A list of tables in the same stake groups is opened as the one the Player is currently playing in. This enables Players to search for second tables when playing multiple tables without having to leave their present game.
The MTT Lobby is available via the Chat View during game play. This enables Players to access tournament information without leaving the table. This lobby is accessed via tabs at the top of the chat box enabling Players to switch between Chat , Tables and MTT Info . The following information is included:
- Players Remaining or total entrants
- Chips in Play
- Tables Remaining
- Largest Stack
- Smallest Stack
- Average Stack
- Blind Level – current
- Next Level
- Time till Break
- Tournament Description
- Players in Tournament – positional list
- Prize Info rmation
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Quick Start
Don’t want to spend your valuable playing time searching for a game? Then you will love Quick Start. Select your game, table type, limit and stakes and you’ll be immediately sat at an available table, it also gives you the option to sit at an empty table if all other tables are full. Quick Start is also available for Sit & Go Tournaments.
Quick Search
Similar to Quick Start just select your favorite game, limit and stake and you’ll be shown a list of all the tables available, choose to join one of the tables on the list or add your name to the waiting list.
The Borders
The ‘Red and Green Borders' help you to follow the game. The ‘Green Border' means the player has acted and a ‘Red Border' means the player still has to act. When all players have a ‘Green Border' the next community card is dealt.
Find a Player
Your friend calls and he is in the last 10 in the WSOP Freeroll to win a free seat in the greatest poker event of all time. He says if he wins he will take you with him and, of course, you want to watch him win his way to the WSOP…. Where is he? What table is he on? Can't find him? Enter your friend's alias into the ‘Find a Player' feature, it will tell you if the player you are looking for is connected to the network and the table they are at.
Game Statistics
Your personal statistics are displayed in percentages inside the ‘Game Statistics' box – you can see at a glance your actions and where you fold, as well as number of games won, showdowns won, number of flops seen and win % of flops seen. You may choose to hide the stats or reset them at any time.
Hand Description
Displayed on the table just above the flop this valuable tool will display your current hand, it updates each time a community card is dealt and you are the only one who can see it.
Markers
A ‘Marker' tells you how many players are still in the game for each betting round and exactly how many chips there are in the pot as it increases.
Multi-Table View
Want to play more than one table? Want the ability to play and view up to 4 tables at a time? Then ‘Mini View' is just the thing for you, at Betshop Poker ‘Mini View' allows you to see up to 4 tables on your screen at any one time. Click on the menu button to change table size to ‘Large View', ‘Normal View' or ‘Mini View'.
Player Chat
‘Chat' is displayed down the right hand side of the Betshop Poker room, you are able to chat as an observer or a player and your chat will be displayed to everyone on that table. You may disable the chat if you no longer wish to see it.
Player Notes
By right clicking on a player you can choose to ‘Edit Player Notes', the ability to enter information about other players is invaluable when you happen to be on the same table again simply hold your cursor over the player for a few seconds and the notes will be displayed.
Player Profiles
Share your wins at Betshop Poker with our new ‘Player Profiles'. Tell your buddies about BadBeats – anything goes in player profiles. It doesn't take a minute and you could be selected for our player of the month. Click on the ‘Create Your Profile' button to start.
Bet Slider Bar
Quickly enter an amount to bet by using the Bet Slider Bar. The slider tabs are state aware and show different values pre-flop and post-flop. Only valid values are shown and are dependent on the player's money, the minimum and maximum bets and the game type. Players can bet using the slider bar by clicking the “Bet” button.
Notification Messages
Receive notification messages before the start of tournaments by selecting “Notify me before the tournament starts” option when registering for a tournament. Notifications are sent 30 and 5 minutes before the start of the tournament.
Kicker Card Highlighted in Chat
When the winning hand is decided by the kicker, the kicker card is highlighted in the chat window.
Variable Starting Chips
Players in the same tournament can receive different amounts of starting chips for the same buy-in amount. Initially starting chips may vary, based on the following: (1) registration time, (2) raked hands and (3) extra chips awarded by way of a promotion, for example.
Auto Re-Buys
Re-buys are allowed in a tournament for a limited time only at the start of the tournament, usually within the first hour. In this time you may complete as many re-buys as you want, but you may only re-buy when your chip balance is less than your starting balance. To re-buy when the current balance is greater than zero, but less than your starting balance, click the “Re-Buy” button.
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