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A Comprehensive Guide on Poker

As one of the world’s most popular pastimes, there are millions of people playing poker around the world. Poker games can be easily found everywhere like casinos, online casinos, live poker rooms, and online poker sites, or you can just play it with your family and friends in your living area. Poker games are so popular that they can be played anytime and anywhere! 

In addition to their popularity, poker games are easy to learn. Learning how to play poker is arguably easier than any other classic casino game. Before you play, it is recommended to learn the poker rules, followed by the poker hand rankings, different betting structures, and the rules of each poker variation.  

 

Generally, all poker games are played with the standard 52-card deck. The deck is in four suits — spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs, and each suit is ranked highest to lowest starting from A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, to A. The cards are dealt in several rounds and each round might involve betting depending on the version of poker you are playing. 

 

As there are many aspects of poker that every player should know, it might be quite a challenge for any beginner to learn how to play poker. However, fret not, we are here to help. With our comprehensive poker guide, you will find the poker card rules are actually easy to pick up. We believe that our guide can contribute to and improve your poker learning process. After a few rounds of playing poker online or with your friends, you are most likely to get started in the joy of poker. 

A Comprehensive Guide on Poker

Poker Hand Rankings  

Poker hand rankings are a system used to determine the winner of each hand. The poker hand ranking rules are commonly used in most poker variants. Hence, learning the poker sequence and poker hierarchy first could help you understand poker faster.  

 

To win in poker, you have to follow the poker hand rankings. The winner of each hand of poker is the player that holds the highest-ranked hand when all cards are revealed in the “showdown”. There are a few names that you should know in poker hand ranking like a royal flush, straight, full house, and many more! Each of them represents a set of combinations or poker hands and they are ranked according to their value or probability.  

 

What is a royal flush in poker? Have no idea how to make a full house in poker? Don’t know which hand beats another? Don’t know how to determine the highest hand in poker? You can find and learn everything about hand rankings in poker below.  

 

The list of poker hands is ranked from the stronger to the weakest possible hand: 

  1. Royal Flush 
  1. Straight Flush 
  1. Four of a Kind 
  1. Full House 
  1. Flush 
  1. Straight 
  1. Three of a Kind 
  1. Two Pair 
  1. One Pair 
  1. High Card 

 

Royal Flush is the highest hand in poker while the High Card is the lowest hand in poker. These poker hand rules are commonly used in most poker variants. If there are two or more players holding two hands of the same strength, the winner will be decided with the high card. 

 

You may learn more about the poker hand rules with our poker hands chart here. 

Poker Betting Rounds 

Different variations of poker can involve different poker game rules, betting structures, and might as well poker hand rankings. However, poker games are generally executed and played in the same way. 

 

In most of the poker variants, poker games usually begin with each play dealt with at least two cards. Then, the first betting round will begin. In each betting round, players get to bet, call, check, raise, or fold their cards.  

 

  • Check — Players may check their cards when there is no prior bet during the current round of betting. By doing so, it means the player declines the opportunity to open the betting. If all active or remaining players check, the round is considered complete. 
  • Bet — Players may bet if there is no prior bet during the current round of betting. Once a bet has been made, other players must call to remain in the hand. However, if the players decide to withdraw from the round, they can fold their cards to stop betting.  
  • Call — players can call if other players have bet during the current round of betting. When a player calls, he has to match the highest bet made. 
  • Raise — Players may raise if other players have bet during the current round of betting. By doing so, it means the player will make a greater betting amount than the prior bet. All following players are then required to call or raise the bet again to stay in the hand. 
  • Fold — Players may fold their cards to withdraw from the current hand. 

 

The betting rounds can vary in different types of poker games. For example, in the most popular types of poker — Texas Holdem and Omaha, they have four identical betting rounds known as pre-flop, the flop, the turn, and the river. 

A Comprehensive Guide on Poker

Pre-flop 

Players can place their bet after all players have received their hole cards. The bets should be placed before any community cards have been dealt. After every player has completed their actions, the pre-flop betting round is then complete and ready to proceed with the next betting round. 

The flop 

After the first three community cards are dealt, players can place their bets during the flop If they have not folded their cards in the previous betting round. After everyone has placed their bets, the flop is complete and the next betting round will begin.  

The turn 

After the flop betting round, the fourth community card is dealt. This betting round is known as the turn, and the remaining players can place their bets if they have not folded their cards in the previous betting round. After everyone has placed their bets, the game will then proceed to the final round of betting. 

The river 

The fifth and final community card is dealt during the river betting round. All remaining players will now have seven cards to form the best five-card poker hand. They can use any combination of the two hole cards and five community cards to make the best possible poker hand. A final round of betting will take place before the showdown begins.  

Showdown 

The remaining active players must reveal their hands during the last round of betting after the last bet or raise has been called. The player with the highest ranking hand wins the pot. 

 

Players frequently expose their hands sequentially rather than all at once. One pot may be shared by several players, and the pot may be divided in a variety of ways based on the game’s rules and how well each player’s hand stacks up against those of their rivals. 

 

Learn more about the poker rules of Texas Holdem and Omaha here. In some other poker variations like Seven Card Stud, instead of using the terms like the flop, turn, and river, the betting rounds in this poker variant are known as “street”. You may learn more about the betting rounds of Seven Card Stud here. 

Betting Limits 

There are three different betting limits that can be applied to various poker games. Betting limits refer to the bet amount that the players can place in each game or betting round. The three types of betting limits are no limit, pot limit, and fixed limit. 

No limit 

In no-limit poker games, players are allowed to bet or raise by any amount up to and including their full stake in any betting round. This is easily the most popular poker betting structure as it is very exciting to see players going all-in sometimes. However, playing no-limit poker games requires a more strategic plan and you may lose all your money very soon if you have made the wrong decisions.  

Fixed limit 

In a fixed-limit poker game, players are only allowed to call, bet or raise the predetermined amount. Since there’s a cap on the betting amount, it is easier for the players to manage their bankroll. In addition, fixed-limit poker is easy to learn as there is no room to bluff.  

Pot limit  

A pot limit betting structure is sort of a combination of the previously mentioned betting limits. There is a cap on how much you are allowed to bet, but it is only limited by the size of the pot. 

Table Stakes And All-In 

In poker, the term “table stakes” refers to a player’s resources or abilities while playing. The concept of table stakes is based on the idea of poker chips, which restricts the options a player can evaluate at the table. If a player has 8 chips, for example, they can only stake 8 chips or fewer. Since most poker tables employ smaller stakes to reduce the risk, many players find them to be enticing. 

 

Going all-in means placing a bet with every single poker chip you have. A player may bet everything in specific situations, such as 

 

  • A player will go all-in to stay in the game when they only have a few chips left and wish to raise a bet. 
  • Some players go all-in in an effort to terrify their opponents into folding. 
  • Or, a player goes all-in just because he is very confident that he will win the round with his hand.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Poker Rules  

1. How can I win in poker? 

To win in poker games, you have to learn all the essential rules of poker, learn how to play poker, and develop your strategies for poker. The more you learn, the better you will be in poker and the more chances of winning you will get.  

2. Is poker a game of luck? 

In short term, yes. However, we will come to the conclusion that poker is a game of skill if you are playing it in a long run.  

3. Is poker hard to learn? 

Poker is generally easy to learn but it might be challenging to master. You can learn everything about pokers like the rules, hand ranking, and strategies for poker. The only thing that requires more time to build is your personal experience.  

4. Is poker rigged? 

No, any form of poker game is not rigged.  

5. What is Texas Holdem poker? 

Texas Holdem poker is the most popular poker variation. You may learn more about Texas Holdem poker in this extensive Texas Holdem poker guide 

6. What is a royal flush in poker? 

The Royal Flush is the highest hand in poker and no other hands can defeat him. In most poker variations, you are most likely to win the game if you can make a royal flush. 

7. What is the best starting hand? 

In poker games, the best starting hand is usually a pair, also known as the pocket pair. Although pairs are great, but getting a “premium” pairs like AA and KK is always better than a small pair like 22 and 33. 

8. Can I win money in poker? 

Yes, anyone has the opportunity to win money in poker. There are many professional poker players are making a living by playing in poker tournaments. Hence, it is possible for you to win money in poker as long as you have used the right poker strategies.  

9. Don’t I forfeit the funds I have already put into the pot when I fold? 

When you fold in poker, it means you lose that hand. You won’t be able to withdraw money from the pot or make any further contributions for that hand.