Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, and cash games are one of the most popular formats of poker. In a cash game, players buy-in for a certain amount of money and can leave the game at any time, taking their remaining chips with them. In this article, we will dive deep into how poker cash games work.
Buy-in
When you sit down at a poker cash game, you will need to buy-in for a certain amount of money. The minimum and maximum buy-ins will vary depending on the stakes being played. For example, at a $1/$2 no-limit hold’em game, the minimum buy-in might be $100 and the maximum buy-in might be $500.
The Blinds
Once all players have bought in, two players will be required to post blinds before any cards are dealt. The player to the left of the dealer button posts the small blind (usually half of the minimum bet for that game), and the player to their left posts the big blind (usually equal to the minimum bet for that game).
The Deal
After the blinds are posted, each player is dealt two cards face down (hole cards). The first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind.
The Flop
Once all bets have been called or folded, three community cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table (the flop). Another round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer button.
The Turn
After all bets have been called or folded again, a fourth community card is dealt face up next to the flop (the turn). Another round of betting begins with the player to the left of dealer button.
The River
Finally, after all bets have been called or folded once more, a fifth and final community card is dealt face up next to the turn (the river). A final round of betting begins with the player to the left of dealer button.
Showdown
If there is more than one player remaining after the final round of betting, there is a showdown. The player with the best five-card hand made up of any combination of their hole cards and the community cards wins the pot.
The Pot
The pot is made up of all the bets made during that hand. In a cash game, players can win or lose as much money as they have in front of them at any time. If a player runs out of chips during a hand, they are considered all-in and can only win or lose that portion of the pot.
Conclusion
Poker cash games are an exciting and dynamic way to play poker. With no set end time, players can come and go as they please, making for an unpredictable and thrilling game. Remember to always play within your bankroll and have fun!
