Players are dealt two (2) down cards and one (1) up card followed by a round of betting. The first betting round is started with a predetermined "force-bet" (a mandatory bet made by the player with the lowest up card) amount which varies from limit to limit. This betting round is followed by three (3) additional up cards being dealt one (1) at a time, with a betting round following each one. A final down card is then dealt followed by the last betting round.

The initial action, or "force-bet," is made by the player who has the lowest ranking up card, by suit, if necessary, with Aces always counting as high. On all subsequent betting rounds, action is started by the player whose up cards form the highest ranking hand.

On the first betting round of a structured limit game (eg: $10-$20 Stud) any player, including the player with the low card, may bet either the force-bet amount or the lower structures amount for that betting round. Once the structured bet has been made, all calls and/or raises must be made by the structured bet amount. On the first betting round of a spread limit game (eg: $1-$5 Stud) any player, including the player with the low card, may bet any amount within the limits at any time. However, all raises must be equal to or greater than the previous bet or raise, without exceeding the maximum dollar limit for that game.

Check and raise is allowed, with a maximum of three (3) raises per betting round.

If there is a tie in determining initial action for a betting round, the player with the tied hand that is sitting closest to the left of the dealer, must start the action for that betting round.

In a structured game, if there is an open pair on the fourth card, any active player has the option of making a bet or raise at the higher limit.

In determining the value of their hand, a player may only use five (5) of their seven (7) cards. The standard ranking of hands applies.

A variation of 7-Card Stud where both the high and low hand can split the pot. The best high hand splits the pot with the best low hand. A player can win both the high and low hands, thereby winning the entire pot.

In determining the low hand, straights and flushes do not count against the value of the hand. Therefore, the best low hand is 5-4-3-2-A (referred to as a "bicycle" or a "wheel").

Because pairs have no value for a low hand, the bet on the fourth card is always the lower amount in a structured game.

8 or Better, is a "qualifier" for the low hand. In order to qualify for the low portion of the pot, the highest unpaired card in the low hand must be less than nine (9). If there is not a qualifying low hand in the entire pot, the high hand wins the entire pot.

ROYAL FLUSH
The highest ranking hand possible. All five cards are in both sequence and common suit.


STRAIGHT FLUSH
Five cards both in sequence and common suit.


FOUR OF A KIND
Four cards of the same rank.


FULL HOUSE
Three cards of one rank and two of another rank.


FLUSH
Five cards of same suit.


STRAIGHT
Five cards in sequence. (Aces may be used high or low).


THREE OF A KIND
Three cards of the same rank.


TWO PAIR
Two groups of two cards of the same rank.


ONE PAIR
Two cards of the same rank.


HIGH CARD
The rank of hands containing no pair is determined by the highest ranking card.

Texas Hold'em is a variation of 7-Card Stud. Each player receives two (2) cards face down. Five (5) community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table for use by all players. Players may use any combination of their two (2) cards in addition to the five (5) community cards on the table to make the best five-card poker hand.

Before any cards are dealt, the first two (2) players clockwise from the dealer button must place blind wagers. After the first two (2) cards are dealt, players may call the blind bet, raise, or fold. Players required to post blind bets have the option to raise on the first betting round.

Three cards are then turned face up on the table (the flop). Starting with the first player clockwise to the dealer button, each player may check, bet, call, raise, or fold. A fourth card called "the turn" is then dealt in the middle of the table and is followed by a round of betting. Action begins clockwise to the dealer button. Finally, a fifth card called "the river" is dealt in the middle of the table and is followed by a round of betting.

A variation of Texas Hold'em where each player receives four (4) down cards in their hand and five (5) board cards. In determining the value of their five (5) card hand, a player must use any two (2) cards from their hand with any three (3) cards from the board. This is the only way a player can formulate their hand. The standard ranking of hands applies.