The Poker Collection Blog: August 2008

Friday, August 29, 2008

Learning the Basic Rules of Texas Holdem

2 comments Posted by Jack of Spades at 4:43 PM

Have you seen the poker craze that's sweeping the world lately? Televised poker events have turned poker, especially Texas Holdem, into one of the most popular games around. If you want to get in on the game, though, you need to learn the basic rules of Texas Holdem. That way, you can enjoy the game that everyone is playing too. So, lets talk about some of the rules of Texas Holdem.

General rules of Texas Holdem

Every player is dealt two cards to start, according tot he rules of Texas Holdem. After that, the rules of Texas Holdem require that each person either bets, calls a bet, raises or folds. Then the flop is dealt. The flop, as it relates to the rules of Texas Holdem anyway, is three community cards that are dealt face up in the middle of the board. Next, the rules of Texas Holdem call for more betting, the turn (a fourth community card), more betting and the river (community card number 5). Then the rules of Texas Holdem dictate that there's a final round of betting.

According to the rules of Texas Holdem, after all the betting comes the big showdown. That's where all the players that are still in the hand show their cards and see who won. The winner is whoever can make the best 5-card hand out of some combination of the 5 community cards and their own two cards.

Button and blind rules of Texas Holdem

Another thing you should know about the rules of Texas Holdem is that there is a button that goes around to indicate who the dealer is on any given hand. Everyone takes turn dealing.

The rules of Texas Holdem state that the two players after the dealer on each hand are also responsible for posting the small and big blinds. Those are forced bets. Basically, they are small bets that guarantee that someone always plays the hand and that there will be both a winner and something for that winner to win each hand.

Limit rules of Texas Holdem

Next, you need to understand the limit rules of Texas Holdem. First, there's no limit, which means anyone can bet as much or as little as they want each hand. They can even bet all of their chips, which is called going all in.

A variation of that is to use fixed limit rules of Texas Holdem. Fixed limit, as the name implies, means that everyone can only bet a fixed amount each hand.

A third variation on the rules of Texas Holdem is pot limit. Pot limit Texas Holdem is a lot like fixed limit except that players are only allowed to bet as many chips as all other players have bet combined so far for the hand. Basically, if person A bets 50 and person B bets 50, person C is then allowed to bet as much as 100.

Beyond the basic rules of Texas Holdem

You really need a much deeper understanding, beyond just the basic rules of Texas Holdem, if you want to be successful at it. The rules of Texas Holdem can only take you so far, especially in a game full of professional players. You have to also have an understanding of people. As the song says, you have to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em. So, start with understanding the basic rules of Texas Holdem and then move beyond that. Learn the more in depth rules of Texas Holdem and, more importantly, learn to read the other players and watch for signs of weakness, known as tells. Do all of that and you'll have no trouble playing Texas Holdem.

Professional Poker Chips Offer Quality and Consistency

1 comments Posted by Jack of Spades at 4:12 PM

Whether you are a professional poker player or just want to feel like you are playing with the pros, getting a set of professional poker chips is very important.

It can be hard to find professional poker chips amidst all the low-quality chips out there, though. Many times, low quality chips can have very similar designs to professional chips. So, why not get the lower quality ones that are usually cheaper? Well, here are several reasons why professional poker chips are better.

Professional Poker Chips and Consistency

When it comes to weight, high-grade professional poker chips that come from the same set should each weigh the same amount. If you're an amateur player that may not seem important, but to a professional it's everything. Professional poker chips have consistent weights, so it's easier to count them out when you place your bets.

Also, though, I'm sure you've seen, or maybe even done, poker chip tricks. Many people like professional poker chips because there consistent weight makes them better for doing fun tricks.

Aside from that, professional poker chips also have a consistent thickness. Again, that makes them much easier to count out at the tables. Also, though, even for amateurs, it makes them easier to store. If you aren't using professional poker chips, you might not be able to fit them all in your chip rack because some may be thicker than others.

Professional Poker Chips and Scuffs

Most people have composite poker chips, although there are also plastic, wood, metal, clay and more available. Composite chips, though, are widely sold in stores and, unlike professional poker chips, are usually very low quality.

Composite chips can scratch and chip easily. That makes them harder to stack, roll, play with or store than professional poker chips. Not only that but, unlike professional poker chips, the paint can wear off, making it hard to play with them.

Professional Poker Chips and Storage

Another great thing about professional poker chips is that they usually come with well-constructed cases and chip racks. That makes professional poker chips much easier to store and transport than cheap plastic poker chips.

Unfortunately, many stores, both on the Internet and off, advertise poker chip sets that look like professional poker chips. They come in snazzy looking metal or wood cases and really look like the real thing. You might get them home only to discover that they are not like storage cases for professional poker chips, but flimsy and break easily, though.

So, the bottom line about professional poker chips is that they are well worth the investment. As for how to find them, the best place to look for professional poker chips is probably at a casino. If you don't buy your professional poker chips in a casino, at least be sure that they are high quality, before you bring them home.

Playing poker with professional poker chips makes any game much more fun, as well as much easier. So, before you sit down and deal the cards, make sure that you're not just playing with a full deck, but also a set of professional poker chips!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Pick a Winning Professional Poker Chip Set

1 comments Posted by Jack of Spades at 5:08 PM

Okay, you’ve developed a passion for poker and want to start hosting home games. Obviously there is some equipment you’re going to need, including a good poker set. You’ll find multitudes of poker sets available, but choosing the one that is right for you can get confusing. Here are a few helpful facts to consider before you make your decision.

How Many Chips Should You Get?

How many chips you need in your poker set depends on how many players normally attend your games. Here’s a guideline to help you choose what’s right for your home game:

3-4 players: 300 chip poker set
4-6 players: 400-500 chip poker set
6-8 players: 500-700 chip poker set
8-10 players: 1000+ chip poker set

Remember, it’s better to have extra chips than not enough chips. That is never a good situation.

How Much Should I Pay For Poker Chips?

Price ranges vary widely, so you have to decide what your budget will allow. It is not unusual for quality chips to cost $1 each or more. The good news is that since poker has become so popular in the last few years, prices have started coming down and your choice of venders is much broader than before.

Other Decisions When Choosing Poker Chips

You can have your chips customized for an extra cost, with your own monogram or the name of your business. Have it printed right on the chip, or, for a more economical option, order custom labels to apply to each chip. Do you want the denomination printed on each chip or would you rather have the flexibility to change the denomination? What type of case do you want? You can choose a wood or aluminum case for easy transport or a stand-alone case that will reside in your game room.

Choosing a poker set is a big decision. Take your time and do your homework. Even if you can’t afford your dream set right now, you’ll sure to find one that is a winner for your needs.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

The Poker Collection

0 comments Posted by Jack of Spades at 11:53 PM

Welcome to The Poker Collection Blog. Expect to see a lot of reviews, tips, guides, news, and much more for people who live, sleep, and breathe the game of poker. Patience is a virtue so in the mean time check out The Poker Collection catalog of professional poker chips and poker sets.