Course of the Game
The Poker lobby is different to the other lobbies on the platform.
The player has the option of choosing between the games Texas Hold’Em, Omaha and 5-Card Draw. Once the chosen tab has been clicked on, the open gaming tables in this area will be displayed. Only the tables open in this area will be shown.
The games which have already been opened are shown in the lobby with the following information:
- Name of the player
- Poker variant played
- Stake
- Number of players already in the game
- Maximum number of players that may take part
By clicking on the game, the names of the players already in the game are highlighted on the left-hand side of the lobby. To enter the game, the player can either double click on the game, or click on the “To The Table” button.
To begin a new game, the player must click on “New Table” at the bottom of the lobby. The player must then select the limit type (No Limit, Pot Limit or Fixed Limit), the maximum number of players (Texas Hold'Em: 2 to 10, 5 Card Draw: 2 to 5) and the stake (Stake Sum, Raise Sum, Limit, Small and Big Blind). Clicking on “OK” confirms the settings and takes the player to the game room.
The game room centres around an oval table surrounded by 10 seats. Irrespective of how many players will contest the game, each seat is marked with a yellow spot. The player can choose his/her seat by clicking one of the yellow balls, which will be replaced by a small box containing the name of the player, the player’s credit and the current activity (“Taking a Seat“, “Joining“). The player’s cards and the stake are displayed above this box. Once the player places a stake, the amount is shown on the table. There is also a red area on the table, which represents the pot. The figure shown is the amount currently in the pot.
To the bottom left of the screen, the following buttons are shown:
- Join: Once the time limit runs out, “Fold” is automatically selected for the player. Should “Check” also be an option in the given situation, “Check” is selected instead of “Fold”. To participate in the next round, the player must click on the “Join” button. Once the player is in the game, this button changes to “Sit out”. Should the player not wish to take part in the next round, he/she must click on the “Sit out” button. No cards will be dealt to this player. To re-join the game in the next round, the player simply clicks again on the “Join” button. If a player sits out 10 consecutive rounds, he/she automatically leaves the game.
- Stand Up: The player can give up his/her seat by clicking on this button.
- Lobby: Clicking on this button takes the player back to the lobby. Here the player can either open a new game, visit another area or leave the poker lobby by clicking on “Leave”.
Above these buttons, the player’s remaining credit is shown outside of the table. Below the name of the player, the amount brought to the table by using the slider is shown.
A big slider is displayed next to these buttons. This is used to regulate how much of his/her balance the player would like to take to the table. The player must select the desired amount and then click on the “Join” button. The amount will then be displayed below the player’s name. On the right is the chat window.
The slider is replaced by other buttons as soon as the game begins.
When it’s the player’s turn, he/she is shown the value of his/her cards and the buttons “Fold”, “Check” or “Call“ and “Call“ or “Raise“. Depending on the development of the game, the third option may be disabled. Before clicking on the button “Call” in a Pot or No Limit game, the player can determine the value of his/her bet using the slider.
In 5-Card Draw, a player can exchange one, a few or even all of his/her cards after each betting round. To do so, the player must click on the unwanted card(s) and then on the button “Draw”. He/She accordingly receives the corresponding number of new cards in place of those discarded. If the player does not wish to exchange any cards, he/she need only click on “Draw” without highlighting any cards beforehand. Alternatively, the player can wait until the move time runs out.
While the other players are taking their turns, instead of seeing the buttons “Fold”, “Check” and “Call”, the player is shown the following options:
- Check/Fold
- Fold
- Check
- Call
- Call/Check in any case
- Call/Raise
- Call/Raise in any case
- All In
If a number is shown in brackets next to the option, this signifies the amount that would be bet should the option be taken. The options can be selected simply by clicking on them, providing that the button is not disabled. As soon as it’s the player’s turn again, the clicked option will be carried out automatically, providing it is still possible. The selection is cancelled before the next round allowing the player to choose the same or a different option in advance, or to decide when his/her turn comes around.
During a player’s turn, a time limit, in the form of a bar, counts down. Once the time runs out, the player automatically “Folds”. To play in the next round, the player must click on “Join”.
Loss of connection: Poker
If a player loses the connection to the server, a computer player will take over in the game. The computer ‘checks’ when possible, and when not, it opts to ‘fold’. Therefore the player, who loses the connection, still has a chance to win the pot, should his opponent not ‘raise’.
