PUBLIC CARDROOM RULES
Public cardrooms are a great source for those who like to play poker. You can always find a game, and the drinks are delivered to your table. While the rules of the tables can change from casino to casino, several customs should not escape the attention of the ardent poker player.
Fewer and fewer casinos offer poker because of the relatively slim profit margin on the game. Whereas slot machines provide a substantial house percentage, poker tables require dealers, waitresses, cigarette girls, and a manager to keep everything running smoothly. The house supports this with a "rake" (a percentage taken from every pot). This can range from 5%-10%; usually with higher rake games, a limit is placed on how much the house can rake (10% with a limit of $5).
Some casinos require their players to check in and out of their tables. This is to keep a record of how many players they have and to manage limited table space. During peak periods (Friday night) there may be a waiting list for poker seats. In this case it is advised to get on multiple lists (be waiting for both 7-stud, and hold'em) and not go too far.
As far as chips go, this differs from place to place. Some will have you buy-in at the table, while others require you to have them already exchanged from the cashier. The best policy is to ask if you are uncertain.
Once at your table you may realize that not everyone antes every hand, thus making it possible to fold early for "free". The betting system used by most casinos is what is commonly called "blind tiger". In hold'em, the player to the left of the imaginary dealer (signified by a button) places a small blind bet regardless of his hand the player to the left of the small blind places a big blind or blind raise. In Stud, the low exposed card usually has a forced initial bet. In this way everyone eventually antes a much smaller amount (about 40% of a betting unit) for one hand.
Rule variations
There are many types of poker games. While poker was originally played with each player receiving five cards and only one betting round, it has expanded to include hundreds of variants. Currently, the most popular one is Texas Hold'em, but other variants are very popular.
Here are some common rule variations:
1. High and low hand split the pot. Generally there is a qualifier for the low hand. For example, the low hand must have 5 cards with ranks of 8 or less (Ace is counted as low).
2. Players can pass cards to each other. An example of this would be Anaconda.
3. 'Kill Games.' When a fixed limit game is played and a player wins two pots in a row, the stakes are doubled.
4. Wild cards are added. This can range from simply making deuces wild to the wild 7-stud variant of baseball.
5. Players can buy another card from the deck. If a player does not like their card, they can purchase another one by adding money to the pot.
6. A stripped deck is use. Poker was first played with only 20 cards. In the spirit of poker history, players will sometimes only play with a stripped deck. A popular poker game in Spain is played with cards 8-A. It is played similar to hold'em, except that one card is dealt at a time, flushes beat straights, and you must use both of your hole cards.
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