Poker Game Strategies

• A royal flush consists of the highest possible straight in the same suit. Tooga/Photodisc/Getty Images

  In the Old West, rough and tumble characters like Wild Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp sat down in saloons for friendly and sometimes not-so-friendly games of poker. Often it was more than your wallet at stake -- sometimes it was your life. And while most games today don't contain the same high risk, strategy is still extremely important.

Texas Hold 'Em

• In Texas hold 'em, the chances of someone having a strong hand before the flop or a pre-flop hand that fits the flop increases with more players in the game, so it's important to play cautiously when there are more people in the game. If you don't have a good pre-flop hand, like a high pair or two face cards, then it's a greater risk to pay to see the flop.

  When your bankroll has dwindled down to next to nothing, you should be aggressive but cautious. If you only have enough money to play a few hands, select one hand and go all-in before the flop.

Five-Card Draw

• Usually played at home or with friends, five-card draw offers a simple way to play poker with minimal betting rounds, so strategy isn't as complicated as in other games. However, part of the game is using psychology against other players.

  A common ploy is to raise before the draw, keep the cards in your hand and raise again. It will make the other players think you have a full hand, like a straight, flush or full house. This technique should be used sparingly. If other players catch on, it won't be effective, but it can be useful when trying to bluff for a big pot.

  Ante becomes very important as well. If it's a small ante, such as 15 percent of the betting limit, then players typically play more conservatively, because more players will participate in betting. Larger antes, like 50 percent or more of the betting limit, means bigger pots, making it more important to play loosely to reap the big rewards.

  Position factors in greatly. If you're the last player to bet, you have the opportunity to see how the other players are betting. If a lot of players take three or four cards, then you know they probably didn't start with a great hand. It can be an opportunity to take advantage. If you start with a great hand, you can slow-play, which means you can bet small at first, gradually building your bet, hoping to draw in other players and increase the pot.

Pot-Limit Omaha

• Where many poker games rely on strategy throughout the various rounds of betting, pot-limit Omaha depends mostly on your starting hand. The best possible starting hand would be a pair of aces and a pair of kings. Since you only use two of the four cards you're dealt, it's important to either start with at least a pair or two high cards, which can make up a straight or a high flush.

  The number of players increases the odds of someone having a great hand, so play accordingly. Fewer players means that when you're ready to make a move, you can do so aggressively.

  Minimize losses by losing on the minimum betting amount. Don't keep betting unless you're sure about your hand or feel you can get away with a bluff.

Seven-Card Stud

• Seven-card stud strategy uses both memorization and your ability to read other players. You need to know not only what cards are in play, but also what cards have been in play, meaning they've been folded. This will help you calculate the probability of you or your opponent getting the cards necessary for a win.

  When playing low-ante seven-card stud, patience is key. Wait for the best starting hands. When the ante is increased, you can take more chances and be more aggressive. If the odds are not in your favor and the pot is low, it's usually not worth the risk, so wait for the right moment to strike.