Learn How to Play Poker: Rules, Hands and Strategy

Clear poker basics, hand rankings and tips for every level of player.

Poker is a card game that mixes skill, maths and psychology. Players compete for a pot of chips or money. You win by holding the best hand at showdown. You can also win by making everyone else fold. As a result, a smart player can win even with weak cards.

Poker Gold explains the game in plain English. This page covers the rules, hand rankings and strategy basics. If a word sounds new, jump to the poker terms section below.

We also cover online poker and video poker. However, the core ideas stay the same everywhere. Learn them once and you can sit at almost any table.

How Poker Works

Every poker game follows the same simple pattern. Each player gets cards. Then the players bet in rounds. In the end, the best hand wins the pot.

Most games use a standard 52 card deck with no jokers. Suits have no rank in poker. For example, a spade does not beat a heart.

These are the main parts of a hand:

• Blinds or antes: forced bets that start the pot.
• Betting rounds: players check, bet, call, raise or fold.
• Showdown: players still in the hand reveal their cards.
• The pot: the best hand takes all the chips.

A hand can also end without a showdown. If everyone else folds, the last player wins the pot. That is why bluffing is such a big part of the game.

Poker Hand Rankings

Knowing the hand rankings is the first step. The table below runs from the strongest hand to the weakest.

The Ace can play high or low in a straight. As a result, A 2 3 4 5 counts as a straight. If two players hold the same type of hand, the higher cards win. Suits never break ties in standard poker, so tied players split the pot.

Popular Poker Games

Poker comes in many forms. The table below compares four classics. Each one deals the cards in a different way.

Texas Hold’em

Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker game in the world. Each player gets two private cards. Five shared cards then appear on the table. You build the best five card hand from your seven cards. Our guide to Texas Hold’em covers the game in more detail.

Omaha

Omaha looks like Hold’em, but it deals four private cards. However, you must use exactly two of them with three shared cards. This rule creates strong hands and big pots. Read our Omaha poker guide to learn more.

Stud Games

Stud games have no shared cards. Instead, each player builds a hand from their own cards. Some of those cards are face up, so you can see part of your rivals’ hands. Start with our 5 Card Stud page. Then try 7 Card Stud when you feel ready.

How a Hand of Texas Hold’em Plays Out

Here is how a typical Hold’em hand runs from start to finish.

1. Blinds: two players post forced bets before any cards are dealt.
2. Pre-flop: each player gets two private cards, then the first betting round starts.
3. Flop: the dealer turns three shared cards face up, followed by another betting round.
4. Turn: a fourth shared card appears and players bet again.
5. River: the fifth and final shared card arrives, then the last betting round begins.
6. Showdown: the remaining players show their cards and the best five card hand wins.

The dealer button moves one seat to the left after every hand. This keeps the game fair. In that way, everyone takes a turn in the best and worst seats.

Basic Poker Strategy

Strategy is where poker becomes a skill game. You do not need complex maths to improve. A few simple habits go a long way. For a deeper look, browse our poker strategy section.

Play Fewer Hands

Most beginners play too many hands. Strong starting hands include high pairs, big aces and suited cards that connect. Fold weak hands, especially from early positions. As a result, you will enter pots with a real edge.

Use Your Position

Position means where you sit compared to the dealer button. Acting last is a big advantage. You see what everyone else does before you decide. Therefore, you can play more hands from late position and fewer from early position.

Bet With a Purpose

Every bet should have a reason. You might bet to win a pot, to build a pot or to push out a draw. Raise sizes matter too. Our article on making the min-raise in poker looks at one common choice. You can also read about three-betting against early position openers.

Know Your Continuation Bets

A continuation bet, or c-bet, is a bet from the player who raised before the flop. Some players c-bet almost every time. As a result, sharp opponents learn to fight back. Read more in the changing face of the c-bet. You may also meet the donk bet, where a player leads into the pre-flop raiser. Our donk bet article has more.

Bluff With Care

A bluff works when your story makes sense. For example, you raised before the flop and bet again on a scary board. Bluffing every hand is a quick way to lose chips. Instead, pick spots where your opponent is likely to fold.

Watch Your Opponents

Poker is a people game. Notice who bets fast, who calls too much and who folds often. These habits show how someone plays. If you enjoy this side of the game, see how to become a poker detective. Also remember that everyone is different at the table.

Pot Odds Made Simple

Pot odds help you decide whether to call a bet. They compare the cost of a call to the size of the pot. The idea is easy once you see an example.

Imagine the pot holds $80 and your opponent bets $20. The pot is now $100. You must call $20 to win $100. That is 5 to 1. In other words, you need to win about one hand in six to break even.

Next, count your outs. Outs are the cards that improve your hand. A flush draw has nine outs, for example. The table shows your chance of hitting with one card to come.

A flush draw hits about 19 percent of the time with one card to come. That beats the 16.7 percent you need in our example. So the call makes sense.

Playing Poker Online

Playing poker online lets you play at any time and from anywhere. You can choose Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud or other variants. Online poker sites offer many tables and stakes to suit every bankroll. Also, a large player pool means you can usually find opponents at your own level.

From casual cash games to big tournaments, the online poker community is busy around the clock. You can also try video poker. In that game, you play against a paytable instead of other people. Our basic video poker strategy guide is a good place to start.

Tips for Online Poker

• Start at the lowest stakes while you learn.
• Try play-money tables before you use real cash.
• Check that a site holds a valid licence.
• Read the bonus terms before you accept any offer.
• Take regular breaks to keep your focus sharp.

Many online poker rooms also offer no deposit bonuses. These bonuses let you play without spending your own money first. Find out more about no-deposit bonus poker.

Poker Bankroll Basics

Your bankroll is the money you set aside for poker. Good bankroll habits protect you from bad luck. Variance is part of the game, so even great players lose sessions.

Many players keep at least 20 buy-ins for cash games. For tournaments, they often keep far more, because results swing a lot. Only play with money you can afford to lose.

If a session goes badly, stop and take a break. Chasing losses is one of the fastest ways to empty your bankroll.

Poker Terms Every Player Should Know

Poker has its own language. These ten terms will help you follow any game.

These are only a few terms. Our full poker terminology guide lists many more.

Poker FAQ

What is the best poker game for beginners?

Texas Hold’em is the easiest to learn. The rules are simple, and you will find it at almost every table online.

Is poker luck or skill?

Both play a part. Luck decides single hands. However, skill decides who wins over thousands of hands.

How many people can play at one table?

Most tables seat six or nine players. Some online tables seat just two, which is called heads-up.

What is a bluff?

A bluff is a bet or raise made with a weak hand. You hope your opponents fold something better.

What beats a flush?

A full house, four of a kind, a straight flush or a royal flush all beat a flush.

Can I practise poker for free?

Yes. Many sites offer play-money tables. Some rooms also give no deposit bonuses, so you can try real-money tables at no cost.

Keep Learning About Poker

Poker has a lively world around the tables. These pages are worth a look.

• Browse all our poker articles.
• See why sports stars love poker.
• Check the Global Poker Index update.
• Read about the WSOP video game.
• Meet Fantasy Poker Manager.

More Online Casino and Poker Resources

The links below cover casino markets and games beyond poker. We have grouped them by topic so they are easy to scan.