BET TROPICS POKER

Poker Games
At Bet Tropics Poker we are pleased to provide our clients with what we believe are the top five poker games in demand today. Click on individual games for a detailed description.

• Texas Hold'em
• Omaha High
• Omaha Hi/Lo 8 or Better
• 7 Card Stud
• 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo 8 or Better

Hand Rankings

Bet Tropics Poker uses standard poker hand rankings. Click HERE for a detailed explanation.

Bet Tropics Server Problems or Internet Disruptions

In the unlikely event OUR servers develop a problem during play or WE experience an unforeseen internet disruption, play is cancelled and all chips will be returned to your account.

Player Computer Problems

If YOUR computer disconnects or otherwise becomes inoperable during play, you will have approximately thirty seconds to re-connect and get back to the table. The remaining players at the table will be waiting for you to make your move. If you are unable to re-connect and return to your table within that time, you may be considered All-In and eligible to win your entitled portion of the pot.*

*You will be granted a specific number of “disconnected” All-Ins each month. If you have already used your monthly All-In allotment, your hand will be folded.

All-In

A player is NEVER obliged to drop out of contention just because they have insufficient funds in play to call the full amount of a bet. They may call for the amount of chips in front of them and the excess part of the bet is either returned to the bettor; or used to form a side pot with another player or players who matched the amount called. There is no limitation on the number of side pots. A player who has put all his funds in play into the pot is said to be "All-In."

TEXAS HOLD’EM

In the game, players are dealt two cards, face down. These are the hole or pocket cards. Five cards are then dealt in the middle of the table, face up. The cards are shared by all the players at the table, and are called community cards. Players then try to construct the best possible five card hand they can, using the community cards combined with their hole cards. The player with the best hand wins.

The game is played as follows:

First, be aware that many tables have betting limits. A minimum, and a maximum bet. For example, a $5 / $10 game means the minimum bet is $5. The maximum bet is $10.

1. One player is the dealer. The two players to the left of the dealer make "blind" bets. The first player makes a bet that is equal to half the minimum bet at the table. This is known as the "small blind". The second player makes a bet equal to the minimum table bet. This is the "big blind".
2. Two cards are dealt face down to each player on the table.
3. The player to the left of the "big blind" begins play. He/she may choose to call (which means match the bet on the table), raise, or fold. This continues to the left until the betting round is completed.
4. The first three face up cards are then dealt at the same time. This is known as the "flop".
5. The next betting round begins with player to the left of the dealer and continues to the left. If there is no bet on the table, a player may bet or check (which means to neither bet, nor fold - the turn simply passes to the next player). If there is a bet on the table, a player may call, raise or fold.
6. After the close of the betting round, the next card is dealt, face up. This card is called the "turn".
7. The next round of betting occurs. For this and the final round the value of a bet increases to the table maximum.
8. After the close of the betting round, the final card is dealt. This card is known as the "river".
9. The final betting round takes place. At the conclusion of betting, the best hand takes the pot.

Remember:

• A round of betting is finished when all players have acted, and contributed equally to the pot.
• During the first two betting rounds all bets and raises are equal to the table minimum bet.
• During the last two betting rounds, all bets and raises are equal to the table maximum bet.

OMAHA

Omaha is a form of Hold 'Em but it has a few differences. Players are dealt four cards face down before the flop but only two of these cards must be used combined with three cards from the board to form a best five-card poker hand.

The game is played as follows:

First, be aware that many tables have betting limits. A minimum, and a maximum bet. For example, a $5 / $10 game means the minimum bet is $5. The maximum bet is $10.
1. One player is the dealer. The two players to the left of the dealer make "blind" bets. The first player makes a bet that is equal to half the minimum bet at the table. This is known as the "small blind". The second player makes a bet equal to the minimum table bet. This is the "big blind".
2. Four (4) cards are dealt face down to each player on the table.
3. The player to the left of the "big blind" begins play. He/she may choose to call (which means match the bet on the table), raise, or fold. This continues to the left until the betting round is completed.
4. The first three face up cards are then dealt at the same time. This is known as the "flop".
5. The next betting round begins with player to the left of the dealer and continues to the left. If there is no bet on the table, a player may bet or check (which means to neither bet, nor fold - the turn simply passes to the next player). If there is a bet on the table, a player may call, raise or fold.
6. After the close of the betting round, the next card is dealt, face up. This card is called the "turn".
7. The next round of betting occurs. For this and the final round the value of a bet increases to the table maximum.
8. After the close of the betting round, the final card is dealt. This card is known as the "river".
9. The final betting round takes place. At the conclusion of betting, the best hand takes the pot.
10. Player's must use two (2) of his/her "hold" cards and three (3) of the community cards to make the best five card hand.

Remember:

• A round of betting is finished when all players have acted, and contributed equally to the pot.
• During the first two betting rounds all bets and raises are equal to the table minimum bet.
• During the last two betting rounds, all bets and raises are equal to the table maximum bet.

OMAHA Hi/Lo 8 or BETTER

Omaha Hi/Lo 8 or Better is the Hi/Lo version of Omaha. It is a "split pot" game. Over the past few years, Omaha Hi/Lo 8 or Better has been the fastest growing poker game in the world. Players love it because it is an action game.

Basics: Players start with four "down" cards. Players share five "community" cards (which are dealt face-up in the center of the table). You MUST use two of your four "down" cards with three "up" cards to form your hand. There is no qualifying on the "High" side - the best high hand automatically wins half the pot and could win the whole pot. To win the "Low" side of the pot, however, you must qualify (which is why the game is named Omaha "8 or Better").

To qualify for Low: It takes a five-card hand with different numerical values from Ace through eight (with the Ace being the lowest) to qualify for the "Low" half of the pot. The best "Low" hand is A, 2, 3, 4, 5 (also known as the "wheel" or "bicycle"). The winning "Low" hand goes to the player with the lowest high card. For example, a player with a 2,4,5,6,7 would have a better "Low" hand than someone with an A,2,4,6,8. If two or more players have the same high card, the player with the second lowest card (or third, fourth, or fifth if necessary) in their hand wins the low side of the pot.

The game is played as follows:

First, be aware that many tables have betting limits. A minimum, and a maximum bet. For example, a $5 / $10 game means the minimum bet is $5. The maximum bet is $10.
1. One player is the dealer. The two players to the left of the dealer make "blind" bets. The first player makes a bet that is equal to half the minimum bet at the table. This is known as the "small blind". The second player makes a bet equal to the minimum table bet. This is the "big blind".
2. Four (4) cards are dealt face down to each player on the table.
3. The player to the left of the "big blind" begins play. He/she may choose to call (which means match the bet on the table), raise, or fold. This continues to the left until the betting round is completed.
4. The first three face up cards are then dealt at the same time. This is known as the "flop".
5. The next betting round begins with player to the left of the dealer and continues to the left. If there is no bet on the table, a player may bet or check (which means to neither bet, nor fold - the turn simply passes to the next player). If there is a bet on the table, a player may call, raise or fold.
6. After the close of the betting round, the next card is dealt, face up. This card is called the "turn".
7. The next round of betting occurs. For this and the final round the value of a bet increases to the table maximum.
8. After the close of the betting round, the final card is dealt. This card is known as the "river".
9. The final betting round takes place. At the conclusion of betting, the best hand takes the pot.

Remember:

• A round of betting is finished when all players have acted, and contributed equally to the pot.
• During the first two betting rounds all bets and raises are equal to the table minimum bet.
• During the last two betting rounds, all bets and raises are equal to the table maximum bet.

Important:

• Straights and flushes do NOT count against you when qualifying for "Low".
• You are permitted to use different cards in your hand for the "High" side and different cards for the "Low" side or the same cards for both the "High" and "Low" sides. In a split pot, any leftover odd chip goes to the "High" side of the pot.

Ties: In case two or more players "tie" for one side of the pot, they will split that half into equally divided portions. If there is an odd chip(s), it will go to the person(s) closest to the left of the "button". (One player winning the "High" side and two players who tie for the "Low" side is not uncommon in Omaha 8 or Better.)

Key to Remember: To determine your hand(s) in Omaha 8 or Better, you MUST play two of your four "down" cards with three of the "up" cards (community cards). You may play different cards for the "High" and "Low" sides. A player "scoops" the pot when they win the whole pot.

SEVEN CARD STUD

Seven Card Stud is a popular, well-known form of poker.

• Players receive seven cards, three "down" cards and four "up" cards.
• Your "hand" is determined by using the best five of seven cards.

Basics: There are five betting rounds in Seven Card Stud. One bet and three raises are allowed on each betting round. To continue to play, players must call all action to them on each "street" or betting round (unless they are all-in).

Here is the procedure for Seven Card Stud:

1. Everyone "antes" (puts a predetermined amount in the pot before the cards are dealt). This amount is based on the size of the game.
2. Each player is dealt three cards (two "down" cards and one "up" card). The "up" card is also known as the "door card" or "third street". The lowest "up" card must initiate the action with a "bring-in" bet. (If two or more players have the same lowest card, the person who brings it in is determined by suit order progressing from clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades.)
3. Upon completion of the first round of betting, another card is dealt face-up to each player that still remains in the pot (those who didn't fold on "third street"). This is "fourth street" (the second round of betting). From "fourth street" on, the highest hand showing begins the action by checking or betting.
4. If a pair is showing on "fourth street", players have the option to make a single or double bet. If your opponent makes a single bet, you may call, raise a single bet, raise a double bet, or fold. If your opponent makes a double bet and you wish to raise, you may only raise an equal amount.)
5. Upon completion of the betting on "fourth street", another card is dealt face-up to those who remain in the pot. This is called "fifth street" (the third round of betting - which doubles - and continues at this amount for the remaining betting rounds). The highest hand showing again starts the action by checking or betting.
6. Upon the completion of betting on "fifth street", another card is dealt face-up. This is "sixth street" (fourth betting round).
7. The final card is dealt down. The last card is also known as the "river card" or "seventh street" (final round of betting).
8. Upon completion of the final round of betting, the best hand wins the pot. (The pot may also be won by someone who bets without being called at any time during the hand.)
9. Very seldom, a situation occurs where there are not enough cards left in the deck to give each player their own river card. In this event, the dealer will turn one board card face-up and it will be used as a community card.

Single Table Tournaments

A single table tournament is a one table event, which is not regularly scheduled. It simply begins when all the seats for the event are filled. These tournaments can be found by clicking on the "Single Table Tournaments" button in the tournament lobby.

Single Table

10/8 Players. Top three players win 50% - 30% - 20% of the prize pool.

Heads Up

2 Players 1-on-1. The winner takes it all.

Private Tables & Tournaments

Ever wanted to have a weekly poker game with just your friends from all over? Are you tired of always playing with strangers? Interested in an organizational poker tournament? How about an in-house corporate fundraiser? Whatever the case, Bet Tropics Poker is pleased to offer customized Private Multi and Single Table tournaments for any organization or special occasion.

Private tournaments at Bet Tropics Poker are both affordable AND designed around your needs. For example, you may wish to charge a set entry fee in order to play in your private tournament; if so we’ll design and host your tournament for a cost based on a percentage of the total entry fee collected. Perhaps you’d rather have a NO BUY IN prize purse, just cover the cost of your prize purse plus a nominal fee to us for hosting the tournament!
Whatever your scenario, if a private poker table or tournament will help, we’ll customize one for you.

Security

Bet Tropics has been developed in accordance with the strictest industry encryption guidelines possible. Equally important is your personal right to privacy. We guarantee the confidentiality of your personal information and that at no time will that information be released or transferred to any third party.

Fair Card Shuffling

Bet Tropics Poker utilizes multiple sophisticated shuffling algorithms including the Rand Pseudo Random Number Generator (rng) to ensure that each hand is dealt randomly. Specifically the (rng) accesses a complex entropy seed source to guarantee a truly “random” number in every aspect of the shuffle.

Collusion Detection

Collusion is when two or more players on the same table work together as a team, unfairly knowing each other's cards, and betting with this knowledge in order to maximize their team's profits. Collusion is a situation that will not be tolerated and will result in the immediate termination of all access to Bet Tropics Poker.

A player may only have one real money account. More than one Player may create accounts using the same IP address, however, no player may sit on the same table as someone else with the same IP address whether it is on a real table game or tournament table.

Bet Tropics Poker incorporates collusion software designed to track and discover colluding players. In truth, no anti-collusion software can ever be 100% successful however when properly coordinated with on-going real time security reviews, sustained collusion attempts are rarely successful.

Hand Rankings

There are 52 cards in a deck, and the ranking of the individual cards, from high to low, is ace, king, queen, jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 . There is no ranking between the suits - so for example the king of hearts and the king of spades are equal.
A poker hand consists of five cards. The categories of hand, from highest to lowest, are listed below. Any hand in a higher category beats any hand in a lower category (so for example any three of a kind beats any two pairs). Between hands in the same category the rank of the individual cards decides which is better, as described in more detail below.
In games where a player has more than five cards and selects five to form a poker hand, the remaining cards do not have any part in the ranking. Poker ranks are always based on five cards only.

	Royal Flush This is the highest poker hand. It consists of ace, king, queen, jack, ten - all in the same suit. As all suits are equal, all royal flushes are equal.
	Straight Flush Five cards of the same suit in sequence. Between two straight flushes, the one containing the higher top card is higher. An ace can be counted as low, so 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - A is a straight flush, but its top card is the five, not the ace, so it is the lowest type of straight flush. The cards cannot "turn the corner": 4 - 3 - 2 - A - K is not valid.
	Four Of A Kind Four cards of the same rank - such as four jacks. The fifth card can be anything. Between two fours of a kind, the one with the higher set of four cards is higher - so 3-3-3-3-A is beaten by 4-4-4-4-2.
	Full House This consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank - for example three fives and two queens (colloquially known as "fives full" or more specific "fives on queens"). When comparing full houses, the rank of the three cards determines which is higher. For example 9-9-9-4-4 beats 8-8-8-A-A . If the threes of a kind were equal, the rank of the pairs would decide.
	Flush Five cards of the same suit. When comparing two flushes, the highest card determines which is higher. If the highest cards are equal then the second highest card is compared; if those are equal too, then the third highest card, and so on. For example: K - J - 9 - 3 - 2 beats K - J - 7 - 6 - 5 because the nine beats the seven.
	Straight Five cards of mixed suits in sequence. When comparing two sequences, the one with the higher ranking top card is better. Ace can count high or low in a straight, but not both at once, so A-K-Q-J-10 and 5-4-3-2-A are valid straights, but 2-A-K-Q-J is not. 5-4-3-2-A is the lowest kind of straight, the top card being the five.
	Three Of A Kind Three cards of the same rank plus two other cards. This combination is also known as Triplets or Trips. When comparing two threes of a kind the hand in which the three equal cards are of higher rank is better. So for example 5-5-5-3-2 beats 4-4-4-K-Q.
	Two Pairs A pair is two cards of equal rank. In a hand with two pairs, the two pairs are of different ranks (otherwise you would have four of a kind), and there is an odd card to make the hand up to five cards. When comparing hands with two pairs, the hand with the highest pair wins, irrespective of the rank of the other cards - so J-J-2-2-4 beats 10-10-9-9-8 because the jacks beat the tens. If the higher pairs are equal, the lower pairs are compared, so that for example 8-8-6-6-3 beats 8-8-5-5-K . Finally, if both pairs are the same, the odd cards are compared, so Q-Q-5-5-8 beats Q-Q-5-5-4.
	One Pair A hand with two cards of equal rank and three other cards which do not match these or each other. When comparing two such hands, the hand with the higher pair is better - so for example 6-6-4-3-2 beats 5-5-A-K-Q . If the pairs are equal, compare the highest ranking odd cards from each hand; if these are equal compare the second highest odd card, and if these are equal too compare the lowest odd cards. So J-J-A-9-3 beats J-J-A-8-7 because the 9 beats the 8.
	High Card Five cards which do not form any of the combinations listed above. When comparing two such hands, the one with the better highest card wins. If the highest cards are equal the second cards are compared; if they are equal too the third cards are compared, and so on. So A-J-9-5-3 beats A-10-9-6-4 because the jack beats the ten.

Rake Chart

Real money tables will be raked according to the schedules below. All transactions are in US dollars. "No flop - No drop" means no rake is computed when there is no flop.

Low limit tables of $0.50/$1; $1/$2; $2/$4; $3/$6 Pot Limit and No Limit

Tables of limit $5/$10

High limit tables of $10/$20 to $30/$60

END USER AGREEMENT

The software is being licensed to you by Bet Tropics Poker (www.bettropics.com) for your private personal use only on an "AS IS" basis. Please note that the software, as defined below, is not for use by individuals under 21 years of age or under the legal age of majority in their jurisdiction (whichever the greater).

This agreement regulates the Bet Tropics Poker server ("Server"), the Bet Tropics Poker client ("Client") and all intellectual property contained therein ("Software").

The server software runs from a remote computer owned and operated by Bet Tropics Poker. The end user will not have access to the server software, except through the means provided via the operation of the client software. The client software will be made available to the user, under the terms outlined in this agreement. The user will identify himself/herself to the software via a unique Player Name ("ID") and a secret password ("Password") known only to the user.

The software is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties.

1. GRANT OF LICENSE:
Bet Tropics Poker grants the user the right to install and run the client software on any computer for which it was designed. The user may only use the software to connect to the Bet Tropics Poker servers.

2. NO WARRANTIES:
Bet Tropics Poker disclaims any warranty for the software. The software and any related documentation is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including, without limitation, the implied warranties or merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non infringement. The entire risk arising out of use or performance of the software remains with the user.

3. PROHIBITED USES:
The user may not attempt to modify, de-compile, reverse-engineer or disassemble the software in any way. All betting actions must be placed through the user interface provided on the Bet Tropics Poker client software. Any actions through other means, including the use of a “robot” player, are strictly forbidden. Bet Tropics Poker reserves the right to prohibit any player from participating in any games, and may, where situations warrant, remove points and freeze/seize the funds of any player suspected of cheating in any form. This includes accumulating bonus points in manners inconsistent with real poker play. Bet Tropics Poker further reserves the right to restrict seating and/or to prohibit players from playing in a particular poker table or in a tournament, including restricting two or more players from playing together at the same table or in the same tournament.

4. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:
Under no circumstances, including negligence, shall Bet Tropics Poker be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use (or misuse) of the software.

5. SECURITY:
The user agrees that he/she is solely responsible for all use of the Bet Tropics Poker software through his/her ID and password. The user is obliged to keep his/her ID and password secret and confidential. Any unauthorized use of the ID or password shall be the sole responsibility of the user and be deemed as his/her use. Any liability there from shall be that of the User.

6. PERSONAL USE:
Commercial use of the Bet Tropics Poker software is strictly forbidden. The user is only allowed to wager for his/her personal entertainment. The user agrees that his/her use of the software is in a personal (and not professional) capacity. Before the user participates at Bet Tropics Poker, he/she is responsible to verify the laws on gambling which govern the place where the client software is used to determine restrictions and act in accordance with those restrictions.

7. OTHER:
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY DOBROSOFT LTD. ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL DOBROSOFT OR ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

8. TERMINATION:
Without prejudice to any other rights, Bet Tropics Poker may terminate this END USER AGREEMENT if you fail to comply with the terms and conditions of this agreement. In such event, you must destroy all of your copies of the software.

9. AMENDMENTS:
Bet Tropics Poker reserves the right to change this agreement and the terms and conditions at any time with or without notice. Such amendments will become effective immediately upon being posted at www.bettropics.com. This license is governed by the laws of the country of Costa Rica.