How to Learn to Play Poker?

To learn how to play poker, you need to understand the rules and learn the different combinations. It is also advisable to know some specific terms related to this game. Follow the guide!

Learning the Rules of Poker

Here we will learn to play Texas Hold’em poker, the most popular variant of poker worldwide.

Understanding the Objective of the Game in Poker

In poker, the goal is to win as many chips as possible. To achieve this, there are two possibilities:

by having the best combination of cards,
by making other players fold, making them believe you have the best hand, which is called bluffing.

At the beginning of each game, each player receives a set number of chips, called the "cave" (in cash games) or the "buy-in" (in tournaments or sit-and-go games). In a cash game or in certain tournaments, it is possible to "re-cave," meaning paying again to obtain a new cave if you have lost all your chips.

Knowing the Ranking of Different Poker Hands

A hand in poker refers to the best combination of five cards that a player can make with their two personal cards and the five community cards on the table. Here is the ranking of poker hands, from the weakest to the strongest:

the high card, which is the highest card in a hand without any card combination;
the pair (two cards of the same value, along with three unmatched cards);
two pairs (two pairs and one high card);
three of a kind (three cards of the same value and two other cards);
the straight, also called a sequence (five cards in consecutive rank, but different suits);
the flush (five cards of the same suit);
the full house (a three of a kind and a pair);
the four of a kind (four cards of the same rank and one additional card);
the straight flush (a sequence where all the cards are of the same suit);
the royal flush (a sequence from Ace to 10 where all cards are of the same suit).

Understanding the Course of a Game

Dealing the Cards in Texas Hold’em

A button marked “D” (dealer) designates the dealer. Each round, this button moves clockwise. The player to the left of the dealer places the small blind on the table, with a pre-determined amount. The player to their left places the big blind, which is double the small blind. The dealer then deals two cards to each player, face down.

The Preflop

The player to the left of the one who placed the big blind speaks first to start the first betting round. Several options are available to them:

they can call, which means betting the same amount as the big blind to stay in the game;
they can raise, which means betting at least double the big blind;
they can fold, which means discarding their cards.

Then, it’s the turn of the other players to speak one by one, in clockwise order.

The Flop

After the first betting round, the dealer "burns" the top card from the remaining deck and places the next three face up on the table. These are community cards for all players. A second betting round takes place. Players can call, raise, or fold as before, but they can also check, which means staying in the game without betting if other players don’t bet either.

The Turn

The dealer "burns" another card, then reveals a new community card for all players, followed by the third betting round.

The River

The dealer "burns" a final card, then reveals the fifth community card, followed by the fourth and final betting round.

The Showdown

If multiple players remain in the game, they reveal their cards. The winner is the player with the best hand, made up of one or both of their cards combined with the community cards.

Improving at Poker

To refine your poker game and make better decisions, it’s advisable to follow these tips:

Pay attention to other players' gestures and expressions, as well as their response times, in online poker rooms, to try to understand their game;
Reduce the number of hands played and focus on strong hands. Poker probability analyses show that a small percentage of hands yield a high percentage of wins. It’s essential to learn to strategically select hands to progress in poker;
Keep informed on poker statistics and strategies;
Be mindful of player positions. It’s better to play more hands when in late position, such as Under the Gun;
Adapt your game to your opponents to prevent them from "reading" your game too easily;
Bet wisely and avoid betting too much; it’s better to win less and lose less than to win a lot in one hand and lose big in several others;
Avoid bluffing constantly; use it sparingly, when it can be genuinely beneficial;
Enjoy the game and remember that poker is just a game!

You now have the basics to understand and improve at poker, so feel free to try our video poker games!