The World of Hold Em Poker Table Games [article from Articleranks]

The World of Hold Em Poker Table Games

For many, by its very nature, online casino poker is devoid of a very specific element which makes the experience of gaming all the more exciting; an element which adds gravity to any game and an element that makes the game worth playing; worth winning. That element is the element of human response and interaction.

Absent are the sickly-sweet smells of sweat mixed with perfumes and colognes, or the medicinal pang of the whiskey in the tumbler on the table, golden and shimmering in the casino floor lights. There are no bustling crowds, no cheering onlookers. There are no tell-tale give-aways from the opponent opposite; no raised eyebrow, no slight twitch at the mouth, no wiping of the nose, or clearing of the throat; at least not that can be seen, anyway.

But for many more, the human element is merely noise. And, especially for fans of online Hold 'Em poker, the magic is not in the reading of one's opponent, but in the besting of one's enemy based on pure forethought, knowledge and game playing prowess.

The player of Hold 'Em poker uses wit to best an opponent and, by establishing a sound bet, coupled with pure knowledge of the game, as well as relying on a tiny bit of luck, the solitary world of online poker can be just as riveting as the real thing.

But the betting is often what separates success and failure in Hold 'Em poker, and to truly experience the excitement of winning online, one needs to know, firstly, the basic fundamentals of the game, and, secondly, the betting options, therein.

The Ante Bet

After joining or starting a game online, the gamer will be asked to place a bet to begin. This is the opening bet or ante bet, and is essential to the player commencing his or her hand within the game. This is far from being merely a bet to start the game, however, as an ante bet will set the scene as to how competitive the hand will be, and prompt opponents to continue upping the ante to make the hand that much more exciting.

The Call Bet

As the hand commences, two cards are dealt to the player in succession. The object of the game, obviously, is to beat the dealer by obtaining the best hand through a hierarchical system of possibilities. After those first two cards are dealt, the player decides whether to 'fold' and end the hand with a loss, or 'call'. This call bet gives the player another card, and the possibility of a superior hand. The call bet, however, will see the value of the bet doubled or even tripled, lending another riveting dynamic to the game, and increasing the risk.

The Bonus Bet

The purpose of the bonus bet is simply to up the stakes of a given hand. By adding the bonus bet to the original, the hand becomes that much more valuable. The bonus bet if often made by players very confident in their knowledge of the game and current hand. There cannot be a bonus bet without the original ante.

So yes, online casino games are absent of the many tangible effects which make the game what it is. But the masters of the online version often find greater reward in playing the game at its most raw, it's most stripped.

tags:texas hold'em