When you've found a site you like, got set up with a real money account, and made a deposit its time to start exploring the various game options available to you. These fall into the most popular types of game (Holdem, Stud, Omaha), betting structures (Limit, Pot Limit or No Limit) formats (Cash games, Tournaments, Sit'n'gos and Satellites) and sizes (e.g., $1-$2, $10 plus rebuys, $100 No Limit etc). To start with, we'll look at these options and detail the various pros and cons attached to each, and then go on to ask the question of how much money you should have available for poker (your 'bankroll') if you want to keep playing at a certain level without 'going broke' and having to stop, or deposit more.

Types of game

1. Holdem

The most popular card game at the moment thanks to TV coverage (which has made No Limit the preferred format), Holdem has long since eclipsed draw and stud poker as 'the' poker game that everyone knows about and wants to play. As Mike Sexton says on the World Poker Tour, it "takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master" and this is its real appeal. Therefore this is the game to learn above all others as its what everyone plays, what most tournaments consist of and, most importantly, where the new players flock to, so that when you get good you have the best chance of your share of the 'new money' flooding into poker.

2. Omaha

Most popular in Europe but played internationally on the poker circuit and online, Omaha is similar to Holdem in structure (both are 'flop' games) but more complex and mathematical. Usually played Pot Limit (except in the US where there are some limit games available) it is a gambling game often popular with older wealthy players as they can find many hands to play and hit, which satisfies their need for action. Beware though, as to make any impression at high level Omaha you'll need deep pockets and considerable experience. If you do find soft online games however they can be highly profitable as many beginning players literally have no idea, and whereas Holdem can be a leveller of skill in the short term, in Omaha bad players will certainly run up heavy losses in no time whilst the experts comfortably reap the rewards.

3. Stud

The dominant form of poker in the pre-Holdem days, Stud has suffered a massive drop in popularity over the last 20 years and even the most popular form, 7-Card Stud, is now dropping out of tournament schedules and featuring only in dealers choice games. Predominately played Pot Limit in the UK, the most popular format elsewhere is Fixed Limit, and as there are five betting rounds as well as a different structure Stud can arguably be called a more skilful game. Unfortunately though, this means that most of the players will be better than you (unless they've played all their lives without aiming to improve) and few newcomers are bringing new money into the game - and so, besides providing a change from Holdem, the reasons to play Stud are currently limited.

Betting Structures

1. Fixed Limit

Exactly what it says, in Fixed Limit the size of bets and raises are pre-set by the size of game you play in. So in a $1/$2 Holdem game this means that the blinds will be $0.50 and $1, and the bets will be in units of $1 preflop and after the flop, and $2 after the turn and river cards. Most games will 'cap' the betting after four bets and raises, meaning you couldn't put more than $8 in on the turn in the above game, but usually there is no cap if only two players are left.

Because the amount you can lose in one bet and one hand is restricted, this is the ideal structure for beginning players to learn on as a way of limiting losses and the amount that you 'pay to learn', as well as learning to make decisions through the various rounds of betting.

2. Pot Limit

Pot Limit means you can raise anything up to what's in the pot after the amount is costs you to call is counted. So if you are first to act in a $1/$2 Pot Limit Holdem game, it would cost you $2 to call and as there is then $5 in the pot the maximum total raise you could make would be to $7. Halfway between Fixed Limit and No Limit, Pot Limit is considered by many the most skilful form of poker, as you have to play through the various rounds (you cant just move all in preflop most of the time like in No Limit) but can end up losing a hefty amount by the last card as the size of the bets multiply rapidly.

3. No Limit

The most popular format, thanks to TV coverage, even no-limit cash games are making a comeback, and No Limit Holdem is by far the dominant tournament format. Because of this, the ease of learning it and the sheer fun factor, this is probably the way to go if you play tournaments where the entry is fixed, or if you fancy chancing your arm in the cash games after learning the ropes at limit, where you can potentially win a great deal in a short time. Remember though that results and winnings can fluctuate wildly as soon as you start playing all-in poker and so be prepared for a few outdraws and setbacks along the way when the maniacs who usually give you their chips have their moment and get lucky!

In part two we will look at the various formats on offer and how much money you will need to survive in different types and sizes of games.

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