Who knows the rules of domino poker? What games can you play with friends

Probably one of the more exotic types of poker today is poker in Irish, which has just begun to gain its popularity in the world's poker rooms. Indeed, a few years ago it was impossible to play this kind of poker anywhere at all, and today Irish poker is available for playing in such world poker rooms as Pokerstars and Full tilt poker, which speaks of its growing popularity all over the world!

And this is not surprising, because this type of poker combines the simplicity of the rules of Texas Hold'em and the wide possibilities of building Omaha combinations. And if in the same Texas Hold'em very often the player with a pair in his hands wins in the distribution or, at best, with two pairs in his hands, then in Irish poker such situations are rare... Here, more often at showdown, players find themselves sets, flushes, full houses or even older combinations.

Poker rules in Irish

In principle, this type of poker is very similar to Texas Hold'em in its structure and course of the game. Here, the same combinations are used as in Hold'em, here the betting rounds take place in the same way - the flop, turn and river, after which comes the showdown, or showdown.

The only difference in Irish poker is that the player is initially dealt not two, but four cards face down, with which he can enter the flop. However, after the players see the flop, they discard two “extra” cards, and after that the deal proceeds in full accordance with the rules of Texas Hold'em.

Of course, due to the fact that the player initially receives not two, but four cards, he has much more opportunities to build a combination. In addition, many more players will come in to watch the flop with not two, but four cards. And at the same time, planning the course of the distribution does not always help to win this distribution.

Because in Irish poker situations very often happen when on the flop it turns out that you are not “playing” the cards that you originally counted on. And sometimes players have to choose between a finished top pair or even a set or a stronger draw.

After all, even if there are only two cards of the same suit on the flop, there is already a fairly high probability that someone will have a flush draw. It's another matter whether given player fight for this draw or fold it, but this entirely depends on the manner of play of this opponent and your bets in this hand.

Irish Poker Starting Hands

Of course, in this case, the question arises as to what starting hands is it worth entering the hand and is it worth fighting for every starting combination?

Of course, you don't need to flop with every hand, like in any other form of poker. But the strongest starting hands in Irish poker are:

  • Double pairs that can be turned into a strong set on the flop (e.g. QQJJ or QQAA)
  • Ace with any other card of the same suit that can turn into a nut flush draw.
  • Already made flush draw, and of different stripes(for example, hand K-9-K-4, where the first two cards are of clubs, and the second two are spades).
  • Just high cards with the ability to build a straight draw (for example, 10-J-Q-K offsuit).

Remember that in Irish poker you should only fight for the nut combinations. And if you enter the hand with a hand of medium strength, then even an average set should be folded so as not to put yourself in front of a difficult choice.

In this case, such combinations as two pairs, sets of medium or weak strength and overpairs... These hands are often overvalued by Irish poker players and therefore lose their stacks on them.

Irish poker refers to a number of extravagant varieties of such a competition. He gained popularity during the period when he was included in the general list of games of the poker room. Full tilt poker... In fairness, it should be noted that this game is not much different from Texas Hold'em.

Basic rules of playing the game

The initial distribution involves the receipt of four cards by participants, this is the peculiarity. After the flop is played, two extra cards go away, then the course of the game is completely identical to Hold'em.

It is important to understand that the rules of poker in Irish style with such a small but significant zest at the initial stage in the form of dealt four cards make the competition more exciting and the outcome unpredictable.

Starter kits from distribution

The strongest initially obtained combinations, when studying the rules of poker with dominoes, are considered to be:

  • Pairs with the highest rank cards;
  • Aces;
  • Flesh and Straight Draw;
  • Top pairs with high rank unpaired cards.

Based on this, it becomes clear to connoisseurs of other varieties that in the end, Irish poker is played in a special way. The choice of hands that can continue to participate in the subsequent competition must be done thoroughly and scrupulously.

It is important to understand, quite realistically, that your opponent has a worthwhile draw. Therefore, it is important to start playing a powerful pocket combination with a raise.

What you should know about Irish Domino Poker?

Postflop, the most powerful combinations will be collected sets, straight and ace flush draws!

In the event that during the game of poker in Irish with dominoes it was possible to collect a not so strong set, you should be especially careful in your own actions and decisions. As soon as the player feels that a serious opposition is brewing around the rates, while the card is not available, to put it mildly, not very much, you should weigh your every action. Most often, the game is unlikely to be successful if the participant has in his hands:

  • Over pairs;
  • Top 4 cards in pairs.

But in the case when the game of Irish poker has worked out even with a good board, the top set allows the participant to relax somewhat, or rather gives him confidence in the successful end of the competition with a clear financial advantage in his favor. Such a thought undoubtedly gives strength and faith in victory.

When playing draws, it is important to focus maximum attention on the aces flush draw, because with combinations that can lead to loss, there is a high probability that this will develop in the next course of events if you do not exit the game in a timely manner.

Irish poker involves taking extra care by the contestants. Especially when playing straight draws on paired boards and boards with cards of the same suit.

One more hallmark, about which it is simply impossible not to mention, because Irish poker is based on nuances, one can name the opportunity given to participants to choose a set for playing postflop. This development of events is carried out quite often.

Irish poker with dominoes conceals a lot of nuances that cannot be written off or taken into account, otherwise it will be rash to count on getting victory in the competition with the long-awaited win.

It is important to be able to take advantage of each of the given chances.

Irish Poker is a real treasure thrill, a subtle analysis of the situation, decent earnings and luck, which absolutely everyone needs in any situation.

Today we would like to tell you about another very interesting poker discipline. We are talking about Irish poker, which, in fact, is one of the varieties of Texas Hold'em. However, a wide range of players poker in Irish not too familiar.

This kind of Hold'em was invented in Ireland, hence the name of this discipline. By the way, it is in Ireland that this type of poker is most popular. Wherein basic rules Hold'em is reflected in Irish poker. Therefore, the transition to a new discipline is unlikely to be difficult.

The main distinguishing feature of Irish poker is that here, as in Omaha, players are dealt 4 hole cards preflop. However, here such cards are not dealt to the players until the end of the game. After the first stage of bidding, each of the participants will have to discard two cards. Then the gameplay is practically no different from the classic Hold'em.

There are different variations of Irish poker. So, for example, there are unlimited and pot-limit versions. If the game is played in an unlimited format, then each participant can place bets of any size. If the game is on in pot-limit format, then the size of the maximum bets is limited exclusively by the actual size of the pot.

Poker rules in Irish stipulate the moment that the game is carried out with a standard deck of 52 cards.

Game start and blind bets

Irish poker rules imply an identical start gameplay with Texas Hold'em. That is, the participants determine, within the framework of the lot, which of them will be the first to act as a dealer. Then this duty will be transferred to other players clockwise.

Each new distribution there will be a new dealer in the game. Before each hand, the two players to the left of the dealer must place blind bets - the big and small blinds. So far, no one knows what cards they will receive, but blind bets are being made. This is necessary to form the starting size of the game bank.

Basically, the blinds are needed to keep players active at the table. This encourages players to start fighting for the game bank much more actively from the pre-flop stage. In addition, a special disc with English letter D - this indicates the position of the dealer.

However, among players, this position is much more often called the button. In fact, it is from this button that the countdown starts and ends on it. This is necessary in situations where the game is played at real tables and you need to somehow designate the dealer at the gaming table.

Before the start of the gameplay, its participants (or simply the rules of poker in Irish) set the limits at the table. Based on these limits, players will have to make blind bets. Most often, the small blind is half of the minimum limit. Consequently, the big blind is identical in size to the minimum bet.

If a new participant joins the game already in its process, he will not be able to join it until his turn comes to post the big blind. However, the player has the opportunity to post the big blind out of turn and thus take part in the game. In this case, it will not be possible to take the position of the small blind or the dealer.

Preflop trading

The starting street for playing Irish poker, like Texas Hold'em, is called preflop. Each of the participants at the table gets their hands on 4 hole cards each... After that, the first round of betting starts, which will be opened by the player next to the big blind.

Most often, poker terminology refers to this position under the gun ... However, you can find just the abbreviated abbreviation UTG. The player who opens the auction in the distribution has the opportunity to make a bet, fold or raise the bet on his first move. Therefore, it will be bet, fold, or raise.

When the first player places a bet, the next player also has certain gaming options. He has the option to fold his cards, equalize the bet, or re-increase the bet. The game on the first street will be over when all players have equalized their bets.

Flop play

The next game round is called the flop. This stage of the game begins with the appearance of three community cards on the table. At this stage, the bidder who sits next to the dealer will open the auction. When such a participant has already managed to fold his cards, then the right passes to the next player clockwise.

Here Irish poker has changed the rules a little, as it allows players to check (skip) on the flop.

The opportunity to make a check is provided to the player who will open the trades. Skipping a turn implies that the player agrees with the current size of the pot, skips a turn, but does not discard his cards. If the first player checks, then the next player also has this opportunity.

However, after one of the participants in the distribution makes a bet, subsequent players will no longer be able to check. In fact, after the first bet on the flop, players will have the following game options available: call (equalize), raise (raise), re-raise (re-raise) and fold (fold).

After the bidding is over on the flop stage, all players remaining in the game must fold two of their hole cards to pass. Such a rule of Irish poker is a prerequisite for the game. In fact, this very moment is the main distinguishing feature from traditional Hold'em.

Turn and river

After each of the participants has discarded two of their hole cards, another community card appears on the playing table. This indicates the beginning of the next game stage, which is called the turn. Everything here is familiar and traditional. After the appearance of an additional community card, the next round of bidding opens.

On the turn, as on the flop, the opener has the option to check (skip). In general, the procedure for trading the turn is no different from what happens on the flop except for one thing. At the end of trading on the turn, no one should fold their pocket cards (unless, of course, someone decides to stop participating in the distribution).

Following the turn, a fifth community card appears on the table. This game stage called the river. The final round of Irish poker trading will take place here. This auction ends traditionally - the participants must equalize their cards.

In the situation when, after trading on the river, two or more participants remain in the game, then the cards are revealed and the formed combinations of the participants are compared. If only one player comes up to the end of the river (the rest of the participants have folded their cards), then he automatically becomes a triumphant and takes the bank.

Showdown and comparison of combinations

In fact, showdown is the showdown. This procedure is necessary in order to compare the formed combinations of the participants in the distribution. The strongest combination wins. In terms of the hierarchy of combinations, Irish poker is no different from the classic versions of Omaha and Hold'em.

When forming his hands in poker in Irish, the player must use two of his hole cards and three community cards from the gaming table. When two participants managed to collect combinations that are identical in strength, then other nuances are used - the seniority of the cards in these combinations.

It often comes to the point that the kicker will play a decisive role in determining the winner. But the suits of the cards will not play any role during the determination of the highest card. Exclusively in a situation where two participants managed to collect exactly the same combinations (all cards match), then the bank will be divided equally.

This type is quite similar to the familiar to every poker player Texas Hold'em. Only there are some distinctive features... The main thing is that the players receive four cards at the beginning of the round. However, they will not always have this number of cards - after new options are revealed on the table, everyone must discard two cards from their hand at their discretion.

The other rules are identical. Texas Hold'em... This means that everyone who wants to test themselves in this discipline can quickly learn how to play and try to beat their opponents.

How to play poker in Irish: breaking down each game round

Let's take a closer look at how the game round goes if you play the Irish version of poker.

Preflop

Preflop is the stage of the game when each player receives their initial cards. Each person at the table will have four. The players sitting next to the dealer on the left hand bet Small Blind and Big Blind. The players sitting behind them can equalize the rates, raise or fold. The bidding phase will be over as soon as the rates at the table have been equalized. Those poker players who have not folded can continue to play and fight for the pot.

Flop

On the flop stage, the dealer will open three additional cards that can play in the final combinations. This is an important point in the game, as it is at this stage that most players determine their potential chances of winning. Once the players have calculated their odds, the next round of betting begins.

Poker players can check, fold, call, or raise. Depending on what table limits you have chosen, you can raise rates up to a certain limit.

After this stage of the game has ended, each of the remaining players must fold half a hand of their choice. This is the key stage of Irish Poker - its main difference and zest. The game continues, and what you threw off will no longer return. In fact, you can throw off just those cards that turn out to be victorious. The opposite situation can also happen. Guessing correctly, determining intuitively what to leave is not such an easy task.

Turn and river

The turn and river are the final parts of the game round. During the turn, the dealer reveals another card on the table. Another stage of trading is going on - you have the opportunity to do any of the actions that you might have taken on the flop. Once the auction is over,
it's river time.

The river is the last chance that can change the course of the game. The remaining poker players conduct the final bidding. And if there is more than one player left at the table, they open their hands to determine the winner.

If there is only one person left at the table, then it is in his right not to show his opponents his hand, so as not to reveal his style of play.

Irish poker rules: combinations and their meaning

The winner and the money will be taken by the one who has the best combination after opening the hand. You can collect it from your cards and those that are open on the table. The precedence of the hands is the same as you are used to in the popular Texas Hold'em.

If you and your opponent have the same combination, compare the kicker. The one with the higher card takes the cash.

Only when you have exactly the same hand options will the money wagered during the auction be split between the winners.

Domino rules

Number of players: from two to four. Purpose of the game: score as few points as possible. The side with more than 100 (300, 500) points loses. At the beginning of each deal, players receive seven stones. A drawing takes place, which consists in alternately laying out stones.

The surrender ends when one of the players has no stone left in his hands, or after the "fish" (impossibility to continue the game, since there are no stones to move).

The first move in the game is played by the player who has a 1: 1 stone.

The first move in the deal is made by the partner of the winner in the previous deal, or by the one who placed the "fish". A move is made to any double (however, a move to 0: 0 or 6: 6 is optional - see "Scoring"), in the absence of a double - to any other stone. The transition of the course goes clockwise.

A move is considered to be the placement of a stone on the playing field next to the previously established one, which has a "free" field, numerically equal to one of the squares of the move stone. In the absence of the required (possible) stone, the player "knocks" - skips a move. A "fish" is a situation in which no player has a single stone to move while all players have stones.

If there are 5 takes (or more) on one hand, a retake occurs. At the end of the delivery, the points are counted. Points - the sum of the values ​​of the fields of stones remaining at the time of the end of the round is the points scored in this round.

Scoring

Standard round completion

The points of the losers are summed up, the points of the partner of the finisher are not taken into account.

The situation when the move is impossible. In the case of a fish, the sum of the points on each line is determined. All points are recorded by those who have this amount more.

If the sums are equal, all points go to the next round, and are added to the points of the losers in the next deal.

Special dice 6: 6 and 0: 0

In the case of the first move at 6: 6 or 0: 0, the loser is additionally recorded 50 or 25 points, respectively (therefore, with these duplicates, the first move in the surrender is not required). If at the end of the deal there is only one stone left on the hand, then if this stone is 6: 6, it is worth 50 points.

If it is 0: 0 - 25 points. Completing the delivery with a 6: 6 stone adds +50 points to the losers, and a 0: 0 stone adds +25 points to the losers.

The convention

Bonuses for 6: 6 and 0: 0

Options: Yes / No. Are bonuses for these doubles used for calculating points in the deal (50 and 25, respectively).

Regulation 13

Options: Yes / No. Does Rule 13 apply. Rule 13 means that the entry in a set is opened only after 13 or more points are scored in one deal.

As soon as the player (pair) receives the first record, there are no more restrictions for 13, and all the points scored are recorded in the next deals. "Unrecorded" points are accumulated and can be added up if the same side wins. For example, a situation is possible when a side received 5, 3, 10 points (in three deals), while there is nothing in the record.

If, in the fourth deal, 15 points are scored, then 33 will be recorded immediately. When playing without Rule 13, all points are recorded immediately.

The fish is complete

Options: Yes / No. Yes - all points are recorded by the loser. No - if the "fishermen" won, the opponents write down only their points; if they lost, all points are recorded by the fishermen.

First move to take

Options: Yes / No. Is it obligatory to make the first move to the double.

Double from both sides

Is the move allowed by two takes at the same time (attached from different ends of the "sausage"). Options: yes / no.