4 minute read
Have you ever wondered what is so special about poker that keeps players at the table all night long? Well, put on your poker face and let VIAGE introduce you to the fascinating world of poker. Poker is more than just a game: it’s an adventure, a test of patience and strategy, and a genuine brain breaker!
First of all, poker is played with a standard 52-card deck. It’s all about betting and having the best hand - or pretending to have it. In its most common form, Texas hold ’em, every player receives two hole cards. In the subsequent rounds five community cards are placed on the table that are shared by all players. The aim? To make the best five-card combination.
The hands: know your cards
Poker hands are ranked according to a strict hierarchy: From high to low:
- Royal Flush: Consists of the ace, king, queen, jack and 10 of the same suit. A royal flush cannot lose.
- Straight Flush: Five sequential cards of the same suit.
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank and one additional card.
- Full House: Three cards of one rank and two of another.
- Flush: Five cards of a single suit.
- Straight: Five sequential cards, not of the same suit.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of one rank and two additional cards of a different rank.
- Two Pair: Two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank and one additional card.
- One Pair: Two cards of the same rank and three additional cards, all of a different rank.
- High Card: Any hand that doesn’t fall under any of the above categories; ranked according to the highest card in the hand.
As a beginner you should learn to recognise and remember these combinations. Yes, poker takes a bit of an effort but it’s definitely worth it.
Bet or fold?
In poker it’s all about winning ‘the pot’ - the stack of chips everyone is playing for. You can bet, raise, call (to match the current bet), check (meaning you don’t bet but stay in the game) or fold (discard your hand). The trick is to know when to take which action.
Learn poker speak
Poker has its own lingo. Terms as bluff, the flop, the river and the turn are commonly used. If you’re bluffing, you’re trying to make the other players believe your cards are better than they actually are to convince them to fold. The ‘flop’ refers to the first 3 community cards to appear on the table in Texas hold ’em. The fifth and final community card is called the ‘river’. The ‘turn’ is - you guessed it - the fourth community card.
The old adage ‘practice makes perfect’ also applies in poker. Start with low bets while you’re getting to know the game. VIAGE is the perfect place to hone your skills. The atmosphere at VIAGE is inviting and convivial, enabling you to learn and grow as a player.
Welcome to our table
Ready to explore the world of poker? Then drop by VIAGE and let the game begin. Poker is more than just a game, it’s an experience, a community, a way of challenging yourself. What’s more, respect is the operative word in the poker community. Play an honest game, treat the other players and the dealer with respect and keep it fun. And remember: every pro was once a beginner. Place your bet, play wisely and who knows, maybe you will be the next poker star to be discovered at the VIAGE tables!
From 1 May, the fun goes on for an extra hour. From then on we will remain open until 5 a.m instead of 4 a.m.
