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Poker Q&A: From Aces to Live Bets — Questions from Our Readers

Poker Q&A: From Aces to Live Bets — Questions from Our Readers
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Max Streltcoff Editor-In-Chief
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: October 14, 2025 · 3 minutes to read

Hi everyone! Max here from PokerListings — the person who replies to your emails and messages sent to our online chat.

It’s been a while since last article. That’s mostly because of the high volume of password requests we’ve been getting in our live chat. As you probably know, I can share the passwords for PokerListings freerolls that run every week — but I don’t have access to passwords from other websites.

If you’ve got interesting poker-related questions, feel free to send them in! I’ll reply — and your question might even make it into the next Q&A post.

1. Using the Ace in Texas Hold’em

Les from British Columbia asks:

Les

Is an Ace considered a 1 in a straight with 2, 3, 4, 5?

Hi Les! We’ve got a great article on poker hand rankings, but you’re right — we didn’t explicitly mention that the Ace can complete the low end of a straight.

You can always double-check your hand using our Which Poker Hand Wins Calculator. By the way, an updated version of the calculator is coming soon for even more convenience.

The Ace completing a “wheel straight” (A-2-3-4-5) can be useful in some situations, but I wouldn’t recommend making a big bet with only the lowest straight in Texas Hold’em. When the board shows 2-3-4-5, most opponents will instantly recognize possible straights or two-pair hands — meaning you’ll often get called only by weak players or by someone holding a higher straight.

If you’re heads-up or in the late stages of a tournament where you’ve been the aggressor with A-x, it’s unlikely your opponent has 6-7. But in passive, multiway pots, that scenario becomes much more realistic.

2. Becoming a Spin & Go Regular

Dora from Romania asks:

Dora

How long does it take to become a Spin & Go regular?

Hi Dora! There’s no exact answer — it really depends on the player. Your ability to manage emotions, understand probabilities, find time for study, and maintain a bankroll all play a role.

You’ve also raised a good point about game formats. Spin & Go tournaments are exciting for casual players — investing $5 to face two opponents for a potentially life-changing prize. But regulars generally dislike this format because of the extremely high volatility.

To deal with that volatility, many regulars have formed shared player pools. Long-term results in Spin & Go are unpredictable, which makes consistent profit difficult.

If I were starting today, I’d choose between cash games and multi-table tournaments. Cash games offer time flexibility and consistent rakeback, while tournaments provide motivation and a clear path toward big live events.

3. Bonuses and Multiple Accounts

Richard from California asks:

Richard

Are people allowed to have an existing account at Everygame Poker and open another one at Juicy Stakes?

Another excellent question that deserves a detailed answer.

First, Juicy Stakes and Everygame Poker are not licensed to operate in the United States, which means any interaction with them is at your own risk — and that risk is significant.

Since we’re already in a gray area, it won’t surprise you that the Horizon Network skins are largely a formality — they share internal data. However, their Terms & Conditions do not explicitly forbid having one account in each room, as long as you don’t use them simultaneously or transfer funds between them.

If your goal is to claim a new first-deposit bonus, it might work — but the room can cancel it at any time.

The real issue is that Horizon Network skins operate without oversight, meaning your player rights aren’t protected by any licensing authority.

By contrast, consider a network like iPoker. There, each room operates as a separate licensed brand under a shared franchise structure, offering its own bonuses within a regulated framework.

4. Declaring a Bet in Live Poker

Patti from Virginia asks:

Patti

What happens if a player says their bet is $100 but only throws in fifty?

Thanks for the great question, Patti! In that case, you should always call the floor manager or tournament director, as house rules can vary.

I’d suggest using the Poker Tournament Directors Association (TDA) guidelines — the most recent version is from 2024:

According to Rule 40 – Methods of Betting: Verbal and Chips, the verbal declaration takes precedence when there’s a conflict between what’s said and what’s physically placed on the table.

So, if a player declares “$100” but only pushes $50 in chips, the dealer must request the missing $50.

That said, remember that TDA rules are recommended, not mandatory. Each casino may interpret them differently, so in any unclear situation, always defer to the floor staff.

5. Freerolls

Since most of our conversations in the live chat revolve around freerolls, let’s close with that topic again.

How would you feel about moving our PokerListings weekly freerolls from Thursday to the weekend? Saturday seems perfect — most of you are off work and near your computers.

Share your thoughts in the comments or join our brand-new Telegram chat!

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