There are a number of important rules pertaining to the pot that need to be followed anytime Poker is being played for money. It doesn’t matter if it is a casual game at home with friends, in a casino, or in a tournament, the pot refers to all the cash bet on a single hand. Over the past century some of the rules have changed to reduce disputes and make the game more interesting. You could almost say the pot rules are as easy as A B C.
ABC Player
Someone who plays in a predictable manner, this is often called playing by the book.
Aces High
The highest card in the hand is and ace and there are no pairs.
Ante
Before a hand of Poker is dealt each player must place a certain amount into pot. This is similar to an entry fee. The dealer, called “dealer’s choice” will tell the table the amount to be placed and will call “ante up”. If the game is played in a casino, the house rules may state the amount that is to be “anted up”. The ante is also the smallest amount that can be bet during game play. Players who “ante up” are “in” and are dealt cards. Everyone else is “sitting out” on this hand. If no one wins the hand, because of “Jacks or Better”, for example, a second ante may be called before cards are dealt for a second hand.
Blind
In games such as Texas Hold’em or Omaha, an opening bet is required by one or more players who are “sitting on the blind” position to the immediate left of the dealer. A specific amount must be placed in the pot before the cards are dealt. A “double blind” means two players must put money in the pot before the deal. A “small blind” is usually double the amount of the first blind bet. The only player(s) who have to place money in the pot are the ones “sitting in the blind.”
Bring in
Is an opening wager commonly placed in “stud” poker where some of the cards are dealt face up. After all the cards are dealt, the player with the lowest card face up must place a bet in the pot. The amount is usually specified, and its purpose is to start the wagering process.
Bust a Player
Is to eliminate a player from the game by taking all his/her chips.
Call
After another player bets you can call by putting the same amount of chips into the pot.
Chips
Are made of plastic, wood, metal or clay and are used in game play to represent money. They are color coded for easy recognition. White represents one unit, red stands for five units, and so on. The various colors can represent thousands of dollars.
Marker
Is a line of credit issued to the player and held by the issuing authority (usually the casino) for an equivalent amount of chips. Once the chips are turned in the marker is “covered” and the I.O.U. is returned to the player.
Limit Poker
There are limits placed on the game including betting and raising. Only certain amounts can be wagered and only a certain number of raises can be bet during game play.
Pot Limit Poker
The maximum amount that can be bet at any one time cannot exceed the amount in the pot.
No Limit Poker
The only limit on the wager is it cannot exceed the amount of the chips the player has in his/her possession at the time of the bet. Additional chips cannot be purchased unless it is allowed by the house rules.
Table Stakes
Betting is limited to the amount of chips the player has showing at the time of the wager. If the player has insufficient funds to bet, call, or raise then the player can go “all in” and place all the chips at his/her disposal and ride through the rest of the hand. Any wagers placed by other players after the “all in” are treated as “side pots” to be won or reclaimed by the players who covered the “all in” wager.
Poker Face
In the game of poker it is essential that the players do not show emotion while making bets. The blank expression on their faces is known as a poker face. This ability doesn’t allow the other players to read their expressions to determine if they have a good or bad hand.
A happy face is usually read to mean that the player has a good hand and will not bet much money or fold without placing a bet. Likewise, if they think you have a weak hand they will bet heavily.
Poker face also includes body language. If your hands are shaking, or you can’t control your body movements such as rocking back and forth, you are perceived as acting nervous or suspicious. Other players will fold without placing a bet.
Remain calm when placing a bet. Little nervous tics that might be habit for you can be perceived differently at the poker table. Don’t run your fingers through your hair, shuffle your feet, squirm in your chair, look your rival in the eye, or pick your nose. All these little twitches can be perceived as bluffing.
Of course, in online casino Poker play, your opponents probably can’t see your face or body movements unless you have a web cam. You could be up pacing the floor in your bedroom and they wouldn’t know. But, such phrases as “I know your bluffing” will pique another poker player’s interest and he/she will take advantage of the situation immediately. In this instance, it is probably best to sit in your chair and pretend that the other players can see your every move and expression.