What You Need to PIay



• DECK OF FIFTY-TWO CARDS

It would hardly be poker without the cards. If you are playing with a brand-new deck, take out the Jokers and any miscellaneous cards, and then give the deck a good shuffle. It you are playing with a used deck, make sure it is complete and inspect the cards for any wear-and-tear that may “mark" them. It’s a good idea to have more than one deck in case one gets damaged. Also, as one player is dealing a hand, the player to his right should prepare the other deck for the next game.

• POKER CHIPS

Real clay poker chips are expensive and more of a luxury than a necessity. Plastic chips will do just fine. However, these inexpensive sets usually have only three different colored chips. If you want more value-levels of chips, then you may need to go to a specialty store.

• A GOOD TABLE WITH AMPLE ROOM

• SNACKS & BEVERAGES

(optional, but recommended.

No one likes to lose, and no one likes to lose on an empty stomach, so keep some snacks around (nothing too messy). Note: Most professional players would never risk impairing their judgment by drinking alcohol while playing.

What You Need to Decide

• VALUE OF POKER CHIPS

You can assign any value you choose to the chips, However, the colors usually correspond to a particular value sequence. For instance, in a regular set, the white chips correspond to the lowest value, the reds are in the middle, and the blue chips are worth the most. Sometimes there are also green, black, or purple chips. It you want to play for higher stakes you can go to the next level and play with green, black, and purple chips; purple is the king of chips.

• MINIMUM/MAXIMUM BETS & NUMBER OF RAISES

In order to keep “friendly" games friendly, it is best to set the betting amounts before you begin. For instance, if your lowest chip is worth ten cents, then the opening minimum bet can be set at ten cents. Depending on how much money you are playing with, a maximum bet can also be established. Before you begin play, you should also decide how many raises per player will be allowed during each hand.

• ANTE

The ante is the amount that all players add to the pot before each game begins. It should be determined before you sit down to play. Commonly, whatever your lowest chip value is determines the ante. Some people have the dealer ante for everyone at the beginning of each hand; this prevents the confusion that sometimes ensues when someone forgets to ante.