- Broadcasts of poker tournaments such as the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour brought in huge audiences for cable and satellite TV distributors. Because of the increased coverage of poker events, poker pros became celebrities, with poker fans all over the world entering into tournaments for the chance to compete with them.
- In some variants of poker a player uses the best five-card low hand selected from seven cards. In most variants of lowball, the ace is counted as the lowest card and straights and flushes don't count against a low hand, so the lowest hand is the five-high hand A-2-3-4-5, also called a wheel.
In the wonderful world of mechanical keyboards, there is a form factor for everyone. From the bog-standard full-size to the gamer-oriented tenkeyless keyboards, you'll be hard-pressed not to find a suitable form factor for you. For a long time, the 60% keyboard was just that for me. However, I see a lot of beginners mistaking the 60% for a tenkeyless and even some that have never seen a 60% keyboard at all. Add its close sibling, the 65%, to the mix and the soup is ready.
Popular poker games. In 'stud' games, players are dealt a number of cards (typically 5 or 7) and must use those original cards to make their best hand. In 'draw' games, the players may decide to trade in some of their cards (generally up to 3) in an effort to improve their hand.
In this post, I will hope to clear up some of the mystery and answer a couple key questions such as:
- What are the advantages of 60% keyboards?
- Are 60% keyboards good for gaming?
Without further ado, let's get into the nitty gritty, starting with the basic 60%.
The 60% keyboard
In respect to its name, the 60% keyboard covers right about 60 percent of the full-size keyboard. In practice, this means that you'll have direct access to all buttons in what is called the alphanumeric cluster. The image below will illustrate what I mean if the terminology is unclear to you:
Those of you who have never seen this before might be wondering what the point of going so minimalist might be. You might notice that the pure 60% form factor has no arrow keys, no F-row and no navigation cluster, and you would be right. All of these functions are accessible, but not with dedicated keys. You are giving up quite a lot to reach this state of minimalism. Let's go over some of the 60% keyboard advantages and conversely, disadvantages.
60% keyboard advantages
If I had to pick a main attraction of of 60% keyboards, it would simply be their size. The first thing you'll notice with a keyboard this small is simply how much mouse space you have.
Size
By taking away the numpad and the navigation cluster, you gain about 15 centimeters (that's about 6 inches in freedom units) of horizontal space for your mouse, while keeping the keyboard in the same spot. This allow you to keep your hands closer together, which is both more ergonomic, and more comfortable. Ever seen esports professionals angle their keyboard like this?
That's because they've grown accustomed to narrow desks in LAN setups and they needed to figure out a way to get more room for the mouse. Online casino no deposit bonus keep what you win nz. Considerably angling your keyboard recovers some space for the mousepad. With a 60%, this problem is practically deleted from existence.
The small size also lends itself to taking it on the go with you. If you do a lot of typing on your laptop, you might want to consider a 60% keyboard to go along – it barely takes space in your bag and will surely feel nicer to type on than the chiclet keyboard of your laptop.
Options
The 60% keyboard also lends itself well to customization. They usually come with standard layouts and thus they enjoy the luxury of being compatible with basically every single custom keyset ever made. There are also a number of 60%-only keysets being made, which naturally sets you back less money since they only come with enough keys for a 60% keyboard.
Custom cases are also abundant for 60% keyboards, as they all use the standard screw placements and for this reason, you have a lot of options to turn your keyboard into something unique.
The other nice thing about them is that there are a lot of options available, and some are a whole lot cheaper than usual full-sized keyboards. Popular budget options for example are the Anne Pro 2 and the (now old) Poker 2.
Programmability
Since the 60% form factor has to compromise so much to get the minimalist physical appearance, the keyboard manufacturers have come up with a simple solution: a programmable layer. This usually takes the form of a PN-key and by holding it, the functions for each key change. Casino enjoy online chile. Virtually all 60% keyboards have this functionality and the best part is that you can program the layer however you want with a few simple keypresses. They can usually be adapted to recording simple macros as well, right there on the keyboard without any need to install complicated software.
The programmable layer is both a solution to a problem, as well as a unique advantage in that you can modify and tune the layout to your liking.
Disadvantages
Now, for the other side of the coin. The keyboard giveth, and the keyboard taketh away.
I feel like while the size makes for the main attraction, it also makes for the form factor's biggest and only downfall. The size means that you lose dedicated keys for the F-keys, the navigation cluster (the arrow keys and the bunch of navigational buttons above them) and the number pad. You still have access to all of these functions, it's just not as convenient as it is with a full-size keyboard.
The F-keys, for example, are usually accessed by holding an FN-key (you'll be familiar with this if you've ever used a laptop) and pressing the numbers 1-9 and the symbols that make up the rest of the row. Similarly, the arrow keys are often accessed by holding the FN-key and mimicking the arrow keys elsewhere on the keyboard. All of this requires some finger-acrobatics and puts your pinky to the test since it needs to hold either the PN, or the FN-keys to access different functionalities.
Should you get one?
Most people are put off from the 60% simply because it has no dedicated arrow keys. If that's the case for you, you could just get a tenkeyless keyboard, which has the F-row as well as the navigation cluster, sacrificing only the number pad.
But another challenger just might have an answer for you, and that is the 65% keyboard.
The 65% keyboard
The 65% keyboard is a godsend and a saving grace for most people that just can't get used to the 60% keyboard. This is because the 65% keyboard is basically a 60% keyboard with arrow keys. It comes with it's own set of advantages and disadvantages, but most of what I said about the 60% keyboard, applies here as well. Here's an image of a fairly popular 65% keyboard, the Tada68:
Radisson blu aruba resort & casino. As long as the keyboard is a 60% keyboard with arrow keys, the official designation for it is the 65%.
65% keyboard advantages
Size
Since the 65% is very close to a 60% in physical size, the same advantages apply. You'll get the same ergonomics and added mouse space. Furthermore, the 65% might make for an even better laptop-companion, since it comes with a rudimentary nav cluster, something I find invaluable when working on a laptop.
Arrow keys
The single advantage over the 60% are the dedicated arrow keys. If you feel like you can't get used to the FN- and PN-layer jiggling to access your arrow keys all the time, the 65% keyboard is right for you. The close proximity of the arrow keys to the alphanumeric cluster might put you off for a while, but it's easy enough to get used to.
Disadvantages
The 65% keyboard trades off some things in order to fit in the arrow keys, and this is its only disadvantage when compared to the 60% form factor.
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The first downside is that there aren't very many options if you're looking for customization. Fitting in the arrow keys often means that the right side modifiers are squished, and that the nav cluster keys are on the incorrect rows, resulting in custom keysets to either not fit, or look funny when they do. Some 65% keyboards avoid this by leaving weird gaps around some of the more ill-fitting keys, like the Varmilo VA68 below.
Going for a 65% also means that you'll be hard-pressed to find custom cases that fit. Some keyboards, like the Tada68 have optional aluminum cases that you can order it with, but most times you're stuck to the plastic default case the keyboard ships with.
Should I get one?
If the only thing keeping you from 60% keyboards is the lack of arrow keys, you should go for the 65%. Just keep in mind that further customization might prove a little bit difficult, if you're into that sort of thing.
In my opinion, 60-65% keyboards represent peak performance for gamers, especially if you primarily play MOBA or FPS games, which usually don't have too many keybinds for you to worry about. I find that very few games nowadays utilize the F-row, and for that reason I am happy to toss it to gain access to the space savings these keyboards offer.
If you absolutely can't live without arrow keys, the 65% is an ideal choice for you. If even that is not enough, you might want to move to even bigger keyboard layouts.
Today, when someone asks if you play poker, they generally mean Texas Hold ‘Em – a game that's become increasingly popular over the past decade thanks to the World Series of Poker and movies like 'Rounders.'
But there are many versions and variations of poker, the main types being stud, draw and community card games. At 'friendly' tables, the dealer often has the choice of deciding the type of game. More structured tournaments usually specify the format from the get-go.
Below are a few of the most popular versions of poker that you may encounter at your weekly dealer's-choice poker game. If you don't know these, you'll be at a disadvantage when something wild (like FOLLOW THE QUEEN!) is called.
Common terms you should know
Before we dive in to the specific games, there are a few terms every player (and prospective player) needs to know:
Ante – the minimum amount you must gamble to get into the action of the game.
Blinds – money (generally in chip form) put on the table before the cards are dealt; there are typically two blinds (called the 'small' and the 'big') and ensure money is being wagered with each hand; blinds rotate from player to player with each new deal.
Call – when a new wager has been placed, a 'call' indicates that player's willingness to match the raised amount.
Check – if no new wager has been made and the player doesn't wish to raise, they may 'check'.
Raise – the player wishes to increase the table bet.
For a more complete list of poker terms, check out Wikipedia's glossary of poker terms.
Popular poker games
Popular poker games. In 'stud' games, players are dealt a number of cards (typically 5 or 7) and must use those original cards to make their best hand. In 'draw' games, the players may decide to trade in some of their cards (generally up to 3) in an effort to improve their hand.
In this post, I will hope to clear up some of the mystery and answer a couple key questions such as:
- What are the advantages of 60% keyboards?
- Are 60% keyboards good for gaming?
Without further ado, let's get into the nitty gritty, starting with the basic 60%.
The 60% keyboard
In respect to its name, the 60% keyboard covers right about 60 percent of the full-size keyboard. In practice, this means that you'll have direct access to all buttons in what is called the alphanumeric cluster. The image below will illustrate what I mean if the terminology is unclear to you:
Those of you who have never seen this before might be wondering what the point of going so minimalist might be. You might notice that the pure 60% form factor has no arrow keys, no F-row and no navigation cluster, and you would be right. All of these functions are accessible, but not with dedicated keys. You are giving up quite a lot to reach this state of minimalism. Let's go over some of the 60% keyboard advantages and conversely, disadvantages.
60% keyboard advantages
If I had to pick a main attraction of of 60% keyboards, it would simply be their size. The first thing you'll notice with a keyboard this small is simply how much mouse space you have.
Size
By taking away the numpad and the navigation cluster, you gain about 15 centimeters (that's about 6 inches in freedom units) of horizontal space for your mouse, while keeping the keyboard in the same spot. This allow you to keep your hands closer together, which is both more ergonomic, and more comfortable. Ever seen esports professionals angle their keyboard like this?
That's because they've grown accustomed to narrow desks in LAN setups and they needed to figure out a way to get more room for the mouse. Online casino no deposit bonus keep what you win nz. Considerably angling your keyboard recovers some space for the mousepad. With a 60%, this problem is practically deleted from existence.
The small size also lends itself to taking it on the go with you. If you do a lot of typing on your laptop, you might want to consider a 60% keyboard to go along – it barely takes space in your bag and will surely feel nicer to type on than the chiclet keyboard of your laptop.
Options
The 60% keyboard also lends itself well to customization. They usually come with standard layouts and thus they enjoy the luxury of being compatible with basically every single custom keyset ever made. There are also a number of 60%-only keysets being made, which naturally sets you back less money since they only come with enough keys for a 60% keyboard.
Custom cases are also abundant for 60% keyboards, as they all use the standard screw placements and for this reason, you have a lot of options to turn your keyboard into something unique.
The other nice thing about them is that there are a lot of options available, and some are a whole lot cheaper than usual full-sized keyboards. Popular budget options for example are the Anne Pro 2 and the (now old) Poker 2.
Programmability
Since the 60% form factor has to compromise so much to get the minimalist physical appearance, the keyboard manufacturers have come up with a simple solution: a programmable layer. This usually takes the form of a PN-key and by holding it, the functions for each key change. Casino enjoy online chile. Virtually all 60% keyboards have this functionality and the best part is that you can program the layer however you want with a few simple keypresses. They can usually be adapted to recording simple macros as well, right there on the keyboard without any need to install complicated software.
The programmable layer is both a solution to a problem, as well as a unique advantage in that you can modify and tune the layout to your liking.
Disadvantages
Now, for the other side of the coin. The keyboard giveth, and the keyboard taketh away.
I feel like while the size makes for the main attraction, it also makes for the form factor's biggest and only downfall. The size means that you lose dedicated keys for the F-keys, the navigation cluster (the arrow keys and the bunch of navigational buttons above them) and the number pad. You still have access to all of these functions, it's just not as convenient as it is with a full-size keyboard.
The F-keys, for example, are usually accessed by holding an FN-key (you'll be familiar with this if you've ever used a laptop) and pressing the numbers 1-9 and the symbols that make up the rest of the row. Similarly, the arrow keys are often accessed by holding the FN-key and mimicking the arrow keys elsewhere on the keyboard. All of this requires some finger-acrobatics and puts your pinky to the test since it needs to hold either the PN, or the FN-keys to access different functionalities.
Should you get one?
Most people are put off from the 60% simply because it has no dedicated arrow keys. If that's the case for you, you could just get a tenkeyless keyboard, which has the F-row as well as the navigation cluster, sacrificing only the number pad.
But another challenger just might have an answer for you, and that is the 65% keyboard.
The 65% keyboard
The 65% keyboard is a godsend and a saving grace for most people that just can't get used to the 60% keyboard. This is because the 65% keyboard is basically a 60% keyboard with arrow keys. It comes with it's own set of advantages and disadvantages, but most of what I said about the 60% keyboard, applies here as well. Here's an image of a fairly popular 65% keyboard, the Tada68:
Radisson blu aruba resort & casino. As long as the keyboard is a 60% keyboard with arrow keys, the official designation for it is the 65%.
65% keyboard advantages
Size
Since the 65% is very close to a 60% in physical size, the same advantages apply. You'll get the same ergonomics and added mouse space. Furthermore, the 65% might make for an even better laptop-companion, since it comes with a rudimentary nav cluster, something I find invaluable when working on a laptop.
Arrow keys
The single advantage over the 60% are the dedicated arrow keys. If you feel like you can't get used to the FN- and PN-layer jiggling to access your arrow keys all the time, the 65% keyboard is right for you. The close proximity of the arrow keys to the alphanumeric cluster might put you off for a while, but it's easy enough to get used to.
Disadvantages
The 65% keyboard trades off some things in order to fit in the arrow keys, and this is its only disadvantage when compared to the 60% form factor.
Poker Analyzer Cheat
The first downside is that there aren't very many options if you're looking for customization. Fitting in the arrow keys often means that the right side modifiers are squished, and that the nav cluster keys are on the incorrect rows, resulting in custom keysets to either not fit, or look funny when they do. Some 65% keyboards avoid this by leaving weird gaps around some of the more ill-fitting keys, like the Varmilo VA68 below.
Going for a 65% also means that you'll be hard-pressed to find custom cases that fit. Some keyboards, like the Tada68 have optional aluminum cases that you can order it with, but most times you're stuck to the plastic default case the keyboard ships with.
Should I get one?
If the only thing keeping you from 60% keyboards is the lack of arrow keys, you should go for the 65%. Just keep in mind that further customization might prove a little bit difficult, if you're into that sort of thing.
In my opinion, 60-65% keyboards represent peak performance for gamers, especially if you primarily play MOBA or FPS games, which usually don't have too many keybinds for you to worry about. I find that very few games nowadays utilize the F-row, and for that reason I am happy to toss it to gain access to the space savings these keyboards offer.
If you absolutely can't live without arrow keys, the 65% is an ideal choice for you. If even that is not enough, you might want to move to even bigger keyboard layouts.
Today, when someone asks if you play poker, they generally mean Texas Hold ‘Em – a game that's become increasingly popular over the past decade thanks to the World Series of Poker and movies like 'Rounders.'
But there are many versions and variations of poker, the main types being stud, draw and community card games. At 'friendly' tables, the dealer often has the choice of deciding the type of game. More structured tournaments usually specify the format from the get-go.
Below are a few of the most popular versions of poker that you may encounter at your weekly dealer's-choice poker game. If you don't know these, you'll be at a disadvantage when something wild (like FOLLOW THE QUEEN!) is called.
Common terms you should know
Before we dive in to the specific games, there are a few terms every player (and prospective player) needs to know:
Ante – the minimum amount you must gamble to get into the action of the game.
Blinds – money (generally in chip form) put on the table before the cards are dealt; there are typically two blinds (called the 'small' and the 'big') and ensure money is being wagered with each hand; blinds rotate from player to player with each new deal.
Call – when a new wager has been placed, a 'call' indicates that player's willingness to match the raised amount.
Check – if no new wager has been made and the player doesn't wish to raise, they may 'check'.
Raise – the player wishes to increase the table bet.
For a more complete list of poker terms, check out Wikipedia's glossary of poker terms.
Popular poker games
In 'stud' games, players are dealt a number of cards (typically 5 or 7) and must use those original cards to make their best hand.
In 'draw' games, the players may decide to trade in some of their cards (generally up to 3) in an effort to improve their hand.
In 'community card' games, the players are dealt 'hole cards' face down (cards that are uniquely theirs) then play off the community cards to make their best hand. What makes them 'community cards?' The other players at the table also may play off them.
Texas Hold ‘Em
Played in the World Series of Poker, Texas Hold ‘Em is easily the most popular poker game in America today. In Texas Hold ‘Em, players are dealt two 'pocket' or 'hole cards' then wait for 5 community cards to be revealed.
Betting takes place in four rounds: once after the hole cards are dealt, once after the first three community cards are revealed (referred to as 'the flop'), once after the fourth community card is revealed ('the turn') and lastly after the fifth community card is flipped ('the river'). Players must make their best hands with any combination of 5 cards (their hole cards and the communal).
Omaha
Omaha is another type of Hold ‘Em that can be played by 2-10 players at a time. Like Texas Hold ‘Em, there are four rounds of betting, but unlike that version, each player is dealt four hole cards and the five community cards are immediately revealed. Players must make their best 5-card hands from two of their hole cards and three of the common.
7-Card Stud
In 7-Card Stud, each player is dealt 7 cards, three down and four up. Players must make best possible 5-card hand from their 7.
5-Card Draw
Each player is dealt 5 cards, but on the initial go around, the player may choose to trade in up to 3 of them.
High / Low Chicago
This stud game can be played for the highest hand or the lowest. In High Chicago, the player with the highest spade face-down wins half the pot. In Low Chicago, the player with the lowest spade face-down wins half the pot.
The other half of the pot is won by the player with the best hand. If someone, however, has the best hand and the winning spade (high or low, depending on version), that player will win the entire pot.
This game can be added to, and played simultaneously with, many other poker variations.
Follow the Queen
This is a 7-card stud poker game in which the wild card is designated to be the next exposed card after a queen is flipped. If no queens are flipped, there are no wild cards that hand.
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And keep in mind there are almost infinite ways to win at poker, and many rules are malleable. It is important to know the specific guidelines of the game you're in…
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For example, be sure to know:
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- If a high hand or low hand wins in your game (some games offer hi/low, in which the high hand and the low hand split the pot).
- If an Ace is high or low.
- If there are wild cards.
- If there is a pot limit (how much money can be wagered on any single hand).
- If the deck is a typical 52 or some other amalgamation (for example, a 'royal deck' uses two decks but only cards 9-A, which results in a deck of 48).
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