How to Play Poker - The Rules

One of the most important parts of the theory of poker is that there are many differences between tournaments and cash games. One of these differences is how the structure of the game changes. In a live cash poker game, you will probably find yourself at the same table for as long as you play. The table may break or you may ask to be moved for some specific reason, but generally, you play where you are seated. In an online game, you may choose to move around somewhat, but you will certainly be able to stay at the table of your choice for as long as you wish.

In a poker tournament, you may be moved at any time. Your table might break or you may be plucked from the table to even out another table. This being the case, you should be prepared for a move from table to table in a poker tournament.

Know When Your Poker Table Breaks

Figure out how the tables are broken down (sometimes it is by number, sometimes, in a live tournament, it is by row or column) and figure out how likely you are to be broken soon. If you anticipate it will be a long time before your table breaks, you may be willing to invest some chips and effort in advertising plays and generating a table image. If your table is soon to break, that investment might be wasted.

Assess Your New Poker Table Quickly

Going from a table where you know all the players and have started to develop a sense for their styles to a table of strangers who have all been playing with each other for some time can be quite abrupt. Take a breath to assess the new table. Is the average stack much higher or lower than at your previous table? Is there one player with a large stack that may be a bully? Are there short stacks that can be picked on?

Don’t Jump to Conclusions at Your New Poker Table

A player who overbets the pot may be bluffing or he may be greedy. Nothing is worse than making an incorrect assessment of a player and then seeing how easy this player is to read after already losing a chunk of chips. Play a little slower when you first sit down to get the feel of the table. Exception: You bring a huge chip stack to the table that clearly intimidates the people sitting there. This can be an opportunity to be a real bully, since your opponents have no idea how you got the chips or how you play.

Observe Tournament Rules

When you are sent to a new table in a live poker tournament, do not put any chips in your pocket, as this can result in immediate disqualification. The staff will give you racks to hold your chips in if you have too many to carry. Do not stop to talk to friends on your way to the new table. This can be perceived as an attempt to dodge the blinds at your new table or to illegally pass chips back and forth.