Travelling Post 23 - Poker

I have discovered that rather than nothing to do in Mildura, there is in fact poker, 6 nights a week of it in 6 different venues, 4/5 nights are free to join and 1 or 2 have a mere $10 buy in, all have cash prizes. I don't think I have mentioned this before so I will now, Australians are gambling crazy. Whereas in Britain most pubs or bars will have one gambling machine and a quiz machine, bars in Australia tend to have one or two rows of gambling machines. Those machines don't tend to interest me (unless it's one in the Masons Arms and Matt helps me win some money from it.) Yes the machines can be fun to put a couple of quid in one every now and again but it's not like you can make a night of those machines (and if you can please call Gamblers Anonymous.) Poker on the other hand is a great way to socialise and win money and thus I have taken an interest in this Australian past time and in the past two weeks I have played 6 or 7 times. I haven't won yet, in case you were wondering. These 6 or 7 games have opened my eyes to a new hobby and when I get home, poker nights shall be arranged, thus, below, I have posted the rules to Texas Hold'em Poker, for which all my friends and family should learn for my return. I will be taking your money, it beats getting a career.

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Preflop: Each person is dealt one card, starting with the person left of the dealer as with most card games. Then a second card. Both cards are face down. After everyone receives their pocket cards (the two cards face down just dealt), then betting occurs.
Betting: Once the cards have been dealt the betting begins. The person to the left dealer places down the blind (a predetermined amount that this person puts down regardless of the cards that have been dealt to them.) The person left of the single blind places down the double blind (which is double the blind.) The person left of the double blind starts the actual betting by matching or raising the bet, and so forth until the betting gets back to the double blind. The double blind is given the opportunity to re-raise and if not he checks and all bets are placed in the centre of the table. If a player does not want to bet then they fold and their cards are placed face down in the middle of the table.
Flop: The dealer burns one card (places it face down) and then turns over three cards in the middle of the table (called "the flop"). These are community cards that each player can use to create the best hand possible out of. Once again betting occurs, this time starting with the first player to the left of the dealer still remaining in the game.
Turn: The dealer burns one more card and then turns over another card making four community cards. This fourth card is called "the turn." Betting occurs again.
River: The dealer burns another card and turns over the fifth and last community card. This is called "the river" or "fifth street". Betting occurs for the last time.
Showdown: The remaining players in the hand show their cards, if there is only one person left then they do not need to show their cards. Each player uses his two cards, and the five community cards to create the best hand (5 cards total). A player can use any combination so even if one card from his pocket cards and four of the community cards creates the best hand, it is fine. When all five of the cards in the community make the best hand then the remaining players splits the pot. This is called "the board plays". Also note that in any time during the game a player can fold and get out of the hand. All bets will be lost at that point.

Rankings: Highest to Lowest (no suite is classed as being higher)
1. Royal Straight Flush - 5 cards all of the same suite, ten through Ace.
2. Straight Flush - 5 cards of the same suite ranked in succession
3. 4 of a Kind
4. Full House - 5 cards of which there are three of a kind and a pair
5. Flush - 5 cards of the same suite, if two or more flushes appear in the game, the person with the highest card wins
6. Straight - 5 cards of different suites ranked in succession
7. 3 of a Kind
8. 2 pair - The person with the highest pair wins should 2 pairs appear
9. 1 pair - The person with the highest pair wins should 2 pairs appear
10. High card