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Selecting Cash Tables

In cash games (otherwise known as ring games), each bet you make represents real money. You can join or leave a table whenever you wish so if you only have 10 minutes to spare, that's still time for a few winning hands. We offer cash tables in a variety of currencies and languages but before you chat at the table, check the table language, denoted by the country flag in the left hand column of the lobby.

Before you get to the action you need to choose the game and choosing the right table is a critical decision. Thankfully Paradise give you all the information you need to make the right choice and manage your bank roll properly.

When you login to ParadisePoker you will arrive in the Paradise Lobby (above) where you can choose from literally hundreds of different games.

The first thing you need to do is choose your game. ParadisePoker offer a large range of poker games but for most people the choice will be Texas Hold'em - most often the variant of poker seen on tv and the same as that played in the main event of the WSOP.

Select the different games by clicking the tabs across the top of your screen saying "Texas Hold'em", "Omaha" "Stud Games" and "5 Card Draw". We recommend you get to grips with Hold'em before trying some of the more complicated games like Omaha. You can find more information about our games by clicking here.

After choosing your game you need to select a limit. Beginners might like to try limit poker where there is a maximum to how much you can bet, reducing the risk of you losing all your bankroll on one hand. Each game will have a game type which will be Limit, NL (No Limit) and PL (Pot Limit). You can also filter the tables to only show you tables of one type by clicking the type at the top of the screen.

Finally you need to select your stake. Paradise offer tables with stakes from as little as 10c right up to $200. Before joining a table you need at least 20 times the stake in your balance so if the stake on the table is $2/$4, then you need a minimum of $80 to sit down at the table. It is recommended though that you take more than the bare minimum as this makes you an easy target for players with more money than you.

Each table is different and it is important that you understand what sort of game will be played at the table you choose. No matter what your level of play every bit of information you can get on your opponents is vital. That's why Paradise gives you additional information which is explained below :

Language : The flag on the left hand side indicates the chat language that should be used at this table. Most poker sites only permit English but we are happy to allow our players to make that decision themselves.

Players : This shows the number of players seated at the selected table. Tables will have a maximum of either 2, 5 or 10 players

Wait : If a table is full, you have the option to join a waiting list for that table. Once a seat becomes free you will be given the choice of taking this seat. The wait field shows the number of players seated at the table. If a seat at a similar table to the one you have requested becomes free, you will also be offered the chance to play there.

PL / Flop: The number of players involved in the hand once community cards are on the table. The more players per flop, the more action in each hand.

Hands / Hour: This is the number of hands that are being played per hour on the selected table. The more players seated, the slower the game play will be.

Average Pot: This is perhaps more important than the stake size as it shows the average value of each hand. If the average is particularly high then this indicates that the other players at this table are very aggressive.

Wondering why it's all in dollars?

Dollars are the primary currency of poker - try not to think of it as American dollars so much as chips.

ParadisePoker automatically converts your money into dollars when you log in. This is done at a fixed exchange rate, so it will be the same when you log in and log out.

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