Russian Poker Players Flocking Online

July 7 - As Putin closes major gambling establishments in Russia, many players turn to online poker sites for their gaming.

STRAIGHT FLUSH - A hand consisting of 5 cards in sequence and the same suit.
DEAD MAN'S HAND - Generically: two pair, aces and eights. Specifically: the black aces, black eights and nine of diamonds. The hand Wild Bill Hickok was holding when he was shot to death.
RAKE - Money taken from each pot and given to the house in return for hosting the game. Usually a percentage of the pot (5%-10%) up to some maximum amount.
SPREAD LIMIT - A variation on fixed limit wherein the minimum and maximum bets are different. A 1-4-8 game allows bets from 1 to 4 in the early rounds and 1-8 in the last round. A 1-4-8-16 game allows bets from 1 to 4 in the early rounds, 1 to 8 in the next-to-last round, and 1 to 16 in the last round.
HIGH-LOW SPLIT - Forms of poker in which the pot is split between the best hand and best lowball hand.
EVEN-MONEY - A bet that pays off exactly the amount wagered. E.g., "Double or nothing" is an even-money bet.

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