Basic Rules of Poker

“It takes a minute to learn, but a lifetime to master.”

That’s the old saying about the game of poker. If you’re interested in learning how to play poker, you’ve come to the right place.

We are trying to keep things simple as we explain the poker rules and dynamics that determine how to play.

We’ll be using No-Limit Texas Hold’em, the most popular form of 22Bet online casino info, as the prime example, and touch upon some other variants to give you an idea of what they are.

How to Win at Poker

The goal of cash games is to win money, in tournaments you want to be at the top of the chip leader-board to claim the big prizes. They work a little differently and will be covered in more detail later. The aim is the same, have the best hands at the right time to win the pot.

To win at poker, you either have to bluff your opponents or hold the best hand at the end (aka the “showdown”). In poker, you’re looking to make the best possible five-card hand. Your holdings can range from a high card up to a Royal Flush

Poker Hands Rankings

Here’s a look at the best possible hands that can be used in standard poker rules, in descending order:

1. Royal Flush: This hand is the rarest in poker. It’s when you make a ten-to-ace straight all in the same suit such as A♦K♦Q♦J♦T♦

2. Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of differing suits, like 8♠7♠6♠5♠4♠, then you have a straight flush.

3. 4-of-a-Kind: The name says it all! If you have all four of the same card, like A♠4♠4♣4♥4♦ then you have quads!

4. Full House: Also known as a “boat,” it’s when you have three of a kind along with a pair – for example A♦A♣A♥J♥J♠ (three of one, two of the other)

5. Flush: There are four suits in poker (diamonds, hearts, spades, and clubs). When you have five cards all in the same suit, you have a flush. An example might be A♥J♥8♥4♥2♥

6. Straight: Five consecutive cards of differing suits, like 8♥7♣6♦5♦4♠ is straight. An A-2-3-4-5 straight is known as a “wheel,” while 10-J-Q-K-A is called “Broadway.”

7. 3-of-a-Kind: Whenever you have three of the same cards (i.e. A♠K♥5♠5♦5♣) you have three-of-a-kind. If you make three-of-a-kind with a pair in the hole and one on the board, it’s “a set.” If you make it with two on the board and one card in the hole, then it’s called “trips.”

8. Two Pair: This is when you have not one, but two pairs. The fifth card is your kicker. For instance, if you have A♣K♥5♥K♠5♦ you have kings and fives with an ace kicker.

9. One Pair: There are thirteen different cards for each suit. Whenever you match two, it’s called a pair. For example, A♦A♣7♠4♠2♣2 is a pair of aces.

10. High Card: If no one can make a ranked hand (different suits, non-connected, unpaired) it comes down to your high card(s). If you have A♣Q♦9♥6♣3♦ then you have ace-queen high.

How to Play the Game

This is going to be a rough guide on how to play a hand using poker rules, with an example listed below. A hand of No-Limit Texas Hold’em begins with each player receiving two cards facedown, called “hole cards.”

Players will always have these options when it’s their turn to act: bet, call, raise or fold.

Players can win a hand by using any combination of their two-hole cards and five community cards on the board to form the best five-card hand.

Flop – The first three community cards dealt are referred to as “the flop”. All remaining players can use these community cards to try and make the best poker hand. Play continues with a round of betting. The action starts with the first player still in the hand who is to the left of the dealer button.

Turn – After completing the round of betting on the flop, another community card is dealt, called the turn (AKA Fourth Street). A total of two hole cards and four community cards are available for active players to try and make the best five-card hand.

Another round of betting takes place. Again, the action starts with the first remaining player seated to the left of the button. Play always continues in a clockwise direction. When all remaining players have acted, the betting round ends.

River – The river (AKA Fifth Street) is the fifth and last community card. A final round of betting takes place. If there’s a showdown – the point where all action is complete – players turn up their hands. The last player to bet, known as the last aggressor, must show first. Whoever holds the best five-card hand wins the pot, This action completes the hand, moving on to a new one.

Example: In a $1/$2 No-Limit Hold’em game, you are first to act after the big blind (more on the blinds below). You are facing a $2 “blind” bet, So, you can either call that amount, raise it, or fold.

The flop comes down A♣5♠6♥. The player in the big blind is first to act and can either check or bet. There’s no need for the to fold as there is no bet. They wind up checking, and you bet $10 with your top pair.

The player in the big blind calls and the K♦ turns. Again, your opponent checks. You bet $25 with two pairs. The big blind calls once more and the 2♣ completes the board on the river.

The action is over, so it’s time to show your cards.

You turn over your two pairs (your A♦K♣ plus the A♣K♦6♥ on the board make your best possible five-card hand).

Your opponent shows he was beaten as he only had the A♥Q♠ for a losing pair of aces. (Their A♥Q♠ plus A♣K♦6♥from the board gives them their best possible five-card hand.)