Royal Vegas Poker

Downloading the free poker and casino software is also easy and free. You'll be guided every step of the way. You'll even see a little counter in the bottom right on your task bar that shows the percentage completion for your download. This handy counter gives you instant feedback on the status of your software download so that you can be assured that it is proceeding smoothly. Once the software has downloaded, you simply select "OK" when asked if you want to install the software download is complete, you may opt to install the poker software. Then all you have to do is click "Next" and follow the instructions as they appear. It's that easy!!

Whether you've got Windows 2000 or Windows XP you'll have easy online screens to guide you along the way. After the installation is complete you simply need to enter your registration details. Thereafter you'll receive a confirmation email along with your account number and password information.

Also, if this is your first time on the MicroGaming Poker Network, you will also need to register an Alias. This is also easily done by following the simple online instructions. Once those basic steps are done you are ready to play poker. At this point you can also choose to with either the software download or the no-download options.

You'll also want to install the "Personal Messenger". It's a great little tool that goes onto your desktop. At the end of the above software installation process you'll be asked if you also want to try the personal messenger. We suggest you do give it a try. With this tool you won't be left out when tournaments or new promotional offers are started. It could give you an edge on leveraging your money further - for free. It is also a secure method of communication that will reduce the number of emails that receive.

For an informative virtual tour of the Royal Vegas Poker room go to the getting started section and click on the FAQ link. The tour will show you the various parts of the lobby interface, explain a little about the different games available, show some sample table games and provide an overview of the game and playing sequence. This is great feature to use if you've never been to a poker site before and wish to look around before you install any software.

Even if you are a professional player, the virtual guide is an indispensable tool that you should use to remind yourself of particular options or find features that you did know existed. This area is a highly recommended place for everyone!!

If you ever forget your password you can get it by following some easy steps located in the getting started section. You do need to remember the email address you used when you registered with the poker site. Enter this email address in the area provided and you'll get a validation email. This email will include all of your  Fortune Lounge gaming accounts. Next, you simply choose the applicable casino account password you would like to reset. Then you just enter and confirm your new password. Very simple.

Playing For Fun - Many potential players do not realize that they can also play a the casino without using any money. This "play for fun" option is available as soon as you have register at the Royal Vegas Poker site. You don't have to put any of your money in to do so. 

To start out with you'll get 2,000 free chips. With these free chips you can play the top game of Texas Hold'em. You can also play the other poker games including Omaha, 7-Card Stud and 5-Card Stud. As with the real games there are a number of betting limits and rules allowable.

To get to the free games you go to the game lobby and you'll see list for the free poker games. You can also get a list for each poker games type. Choose the game you want to play above the table list and the games table list will be displayed. Free tables are shown in a different color and they say "Play" next to the stakes. Just double-click the table name and click on the "Go To Table" button. If you use up all your free chips you can wait  until the next day. You'll be credited with 2,000 new free chips to play poker.

If you want to play for real, all you need is a minimum of $20 of your own money.

The Rake - The rake is the amount of money taken out of each pot for the poker operator. In the Royal Vegas Poker "any player that is dealt cards in a hand and the pot is raked at a minimum of 25c". The rake is varialbe and dependent upon the table limits. However, the amount is fixed and gets tagged onto pots that reach a pre-determined size. Every hand that has a total pot of at least $5 is raked.

For all tables with blinds $0.05/$0.10 and up with 2 players the rake per pot is $0.01 per $0.20 with a maximum rake of $1. For a table with blinds of $0.05/$0.10 and up with 3 to 10 players the rake per pot is $0.01 per $0.20 with a maximum rake of $3. 

Only players who contribute to the pot are subject to the rake. As such, those players who post a blind, bet, raise or re-raise are subject to the rake. Likewise, players who sit out a hand do not have their rake allocations credited for that hand.

Software Used - The Royal Vegas Poker uses Microgaming software. Microgaming software was the first online software developed. It is used by most oldest and biggest names in online gaming.

Microgaming software is always constantly upgraded and refined to assure reliability optimum suitability. No matter how many  players are playing games, the software process remains viable and playable. Microgaming is steadfast in it's adherence to an ethical industry code of conduct.

The software is regularly reviewed by an independent audit firm. The software is made to be totally fair. The software processes conform to the highest standards of gaming software possible.  The shuffling process is  random and conforms to a normal shuffle in land based poker room.

Extraordinary means are taken to make certain that cards are dealt completely randomly. The algorithms for shuffling and the random number generator are designed to create an variable shuffle. Also, your down cards are  known only to you. The game server deals them only to your computer. This process makes it impossible for any player to know what cards you have when the hand is being played.

Poker Strategy - What is the reason that so many people all over the world are attracted by online poker play? There are as many reasons people like to play poker as there are people. However, many of these reasons can be grouped into some basic categories. By understanding these rationales you can better understand the people behind the computer and the ways they might react to poker situations.

People like online poker because of an atmosphere of friendship, social setting, love of the game, craving for action, game challenge and because of personal player ego.

In order to learn to play poker effectively you'll need to understand the game components. You'll need to know about hand rankings and other poker basics. Obviously, there is only one winner per hand. Unlike games like blackjack, only the player with the best hand wins.

The most important basic to know are the hand rankings. If you don't have a solid grasp on the rankings you'll never prosper. No matter which version of the game you play, the hand rankings always is the same. However, depending on the game you play, the individual card values may change. In case of a tie, the winner is the player with the highest card in the rank.

Hand Rankings

• Royal Flush - Straight flush with the high card being an ace
• Straight Flush - Five sequential cards of the same suite with the high card being less than an ace
• Four-of-a-kind - Four cards of the same value
• Full House - Three cards of the same value and a separate pair of cards of the same value
• Flush Five cards of the same suite
• Straight - Five cards with sequential values
• Three-of-a-kind - Three cards with the same value
• Two Pair - Two separate pairs of cards with the same value
• Pair - Two cards of the same value
• High Card - No other combination, the value of the highest card wins

Poker Basics

Poker is a game where players bet against other players. The winner of the pot of money is the one who has the highest ranked hand at the end of the betting rounds. Players bet against each other by adding money to the pot until no one wants to add another bet believing that they do not have the highest ranked hand. By betting larger amounts of money the players are risking ever increasing amounts up to the point that belief that they have the largest hand is not as solid as the risk of continued bets and losses.

All poker games includes two bets that all players are required to make. In Texas Hold'em and Omaha, the two bets are a small blind and a big blind while in Seven Card Stud the two bets are the ante and the bring-in. The types of bet that can be made include a check, bet, fold, call or a raise.

Check - When it's the next players turn and there is no bet that required to be made, the player may "check ". This relieves the player of making a new bet. The next player clockwise from this player now has their own options. If all players in in this round do not make any added bets then the round is considered complete. 
Bet - When it's the next players turn and there is no bet that required to be made, the player may "bet". If the player does make a bet then the player clockwise from him or her may match the bet, fold or raise. 
Fold - When it's the next players turn and there is a bet that is required to be made, the player is not forced to bet and can "fold". When a player folds they no longer have any participation in the current game. 
Call - When it's the next players turn and there is a bet that is required to be made, the player may "call" by betting the required amount. This keeps the player in the current game.
Raise - When it's the next players turn and there is a bet that is required to be made, the player may "raise" by betting more than the required amount. All the next players are then required to bet at least that amount if they wish to remain in the game.

During each betting round, each player has to take an action. After the last action is taken a new round starts. If every player "calls" the game is complete. For each player still in the game, the highest ranked hand wins. If all players except one have "folded" then the last person remaining win the entire pot. 

At the Royal Vegas Poker sites you can play and learn how to play the games of Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Low, 7-Card Stud and 5-Card Stud.

Learn How To Play Texas Hold'em

Texas Hold'em is the most popular form of poker. It is the game played at World Series of Poker. Unless you like to waste money, you need to know how to play before you begin. 

To begin, each player is dealt 2 personal "pocket" cards. Over a period of 3 betting rounds, 5 shared communal cards are dealt in the middle of the board. Each player can use any 5 of the 7 cards to get the highest ranked hand. Because each player knows 5 cards that all the players can use, it is easier to guess what the highest ranked hand may be. For the same reason, it is also a little harder to bluff.

The Process of Play

• The game starts with two players to the left of the Dealer. They post the blind bets.

• Two face-down cards are dealt to each player. 

• The First Round of Betting - Each player has the option to fold, bet, or raise. During the first round, only one bet, and three raises per player are allowed. Players cannot "check" in the first round. This is because the Blinds are live bets. As long as no one else has raised, the only player with the option to "checking" is the one who posted the big blind.

  • The flop - Three communal cards are dealt face-up in the center of the table. ( All communal cards are active for all players and can be used in combination with each player's two cards.)

• The Second Round of Betting - Each player has the option to check, fold, bet, or raise.

  • The Turn - The Fourth communal card is dealt face-up.

• The Third Round of Betting - Each player has the option to check, fold, bet, or raise.

  • The River - If there are at least two players still in the hand, the fifth communal card is dealt face-up.

• The Showdown - The Final opportunity for betting.

  • Each player creates the best hand possible from the two personal cards and the five communal cards. They can use both personal cards & three communal cards or one personal card & four communal cards or all five communal cards.

  • If two or more players have the same high hand, the pot is split equally between them.

Betting Rules

• The play goes in a clockwise direction.

• The first two players to the left of the Dealer post the blind bets.
• Small Blind - The first player to the left of the Dealer bets an amount equal to half the lower betting limit.
• Big Blind - The second player to the left of the dealer posts an amount equal to the lower betting limit.
• The size of the betting increments in each game determines the amounts that players must put in the big and small blinds. For example, a game with $2 and $4 betting increments, the amount of the small blind is $1 and the amount of the big blind is $2.
• In Texas Hold'em, the blind bets are treated as active bets. Because of this, players can check, fold, call, and raise when the bet returns to them.
• In the first round only one bet and three raises per player are permitted.
• All bets during the game have to made per the betting increments.
• In Texas Hold'em there are four possible betting rounds.
• Each bet and raise during the first two rounds is set at the lower limit of the stakes structure. Likewise, each bet and raise for the last two rounds at a higher limit structure. For example, for the first two rounds in a $1 and $2 game, after personal cards are dealt the flop are dealt, all bets and raises are $1. For the last two rounds, after "the turn" and "the river", all bets and raises are $2.
• The each player is allowed up to four bets in any round in Texas Hold'em poker. This includes  1 bet, a raise, a re-raise and the cap. The 3rd raise in a round is called the "cap" because no further raises are allow. After the cap, the only option a player has is to call or fold.
• After a player has folded, the first active player to the left of the dealer begins the new round.
• New players entering a game must post the equivalent of the big blind if they want to join the next hand.
• All players have the option of sitting out and waiting for the original big blind to come around to their position before starting play.
• In order to prevent abuse, Online games prevent players from constantly entering poker games late and leaving before they're required to post a blind.

Tips for Texas Hold'em

• After the flop you will already know the value of five of the seven total cards that will ultimately be dealt. At this time you have a good sign of how good your hand can get. This is a good time to carefully review your cards versus the potential hands of other players.

• When your reach the "Turn" and the "River" you should either have a strong hand, the potential to draw a good hand, or a good reason to think that you may be able bluff the other players into folding by aggressive bets.

• A good personal rule to follow is that after you the flop you should fold unless you have a good hand or a good potential to draw a better hand. Your considerations should include a strong pair with a favorable side-card, strong overcards, a straight or a flush draw. Generally you should stay in if the potential pot has a better payoff than the odds of getting the hand you want.

• If you have an Ace-King to begin, it is best if you catch an Ace or King in the flop.

• Being the last to play is a big advantage. Depending upon the otehr players actions, you may consider staying in rather than folding.

• You must review how the the communal cards can be used with your two hidden personal cards to create the best hand. At the same time you must also review how the communal cards might be used with the other players personal cards.

• Don't be afraid to fold. It you are dealt a lousy hand it's better to fold before you have lost a lot of money rather than hold on and keep throwing away more money on a losing hand.

• To be profitable at Texas Hold'em means you should pay close attention to your position. That good hands are run down less often than the best seven-card stud hands.

• When playing Texas Hold'em you should be choosy on deciding which hands you play. When you do make your mind up to play your hand you should be as aggressive as you can.

More Terms

• Board - The communal cards on the table.
• Blind Bet - In lieu of an ante, the blind bet is made by the two players to the left of the dealer. A "Small Blind" is placed by the first player and the "Big Blind" is placed by second player. 
• Hole Cards - Also called "pocket" cards, these are the two cards that are dealt face-down to each player to start the game.
• Puck / buck / button - A disc placed near the person who is the current dealer. As with card play, the dealing position moves clockwise.