What You Need to Play

• DECK OF FIFTY-TWO CARDS

It would hardly be online poker games without the cards, if you are playing with a brand new deck, take out the Jokers and any miscellaneous cards, and then give the deck a good shuffle.  If you are playing with a used deck, make sure it is complete and inspect the cards for any wear-and-tear that “mark” them.   It’s a good idea to have more than one deck in case one gets damaged.  Also, as one poker player is dealing a hand, the player to his right should prepare the other deck for the next game.

• POKER CHIPS

Real play poker are expensive and more of a luxury than a necessity and it is usually used in high profile casino poker.  Plastic chips will do just fine.  However, these inexpensive sets usually have only three different colored chips.  If you want more value-levels of chips, then you may need to go to a specialty store.

• A GOOD TABLE WITH AMPLE POKER ROOM

• SNACKS & BEVERAGES

(optional, but recommended)
No one likes to lose, and no one likes to lose on an empty stomach, so keep some snacks around (nothing too messy).  Note: Most professional poker players would never risk impairing their judgment by drinking alcohol while playing.

• VALUE OF POKER CHIPS

You can assign any value you choose to the poker chips.  However, the colors usually correspond to a particular value sequence.  For instance, in a regular set, the white chips correspond to the lowest value, the reds are in the middle, and the blue chips are worth the most.  Sometimes there are also green, black, or purple chips.  If you want to play for higher stakes you can go to the next level and play with green, black, and purple chips is the king of chips. 

• MINIMUM/MAXIMUM BETS & NUMBER OF RAISES

In order to keep “friendly” games friendly, it is best to set the betting amounts before you begin.  For instance, if your lowest chip is worth ten cents, then the opening minimum bet can be set at ten cents.  Depending on how much money you are playing with, a maximum bet can also be established.  Before you begin play, you should also decide how many about raising per player will be allowed during each hand.

• ANTE

The ante is the amount that all players add to the pot before each game begins.  It should be determined before you sit down to play.  Commonly, whatever your lowest chip value is determines the ante.  Some people have dealer ante for everyone at the beginning of each hand; this prevents the confusion that sometimes ensues when someone forgets of ante.