Poker Rules

Poker rules, the very basics

Some would say that poker rules are easy to master, while others would oppose claiming that such a statement is completely false. In our opinion, both sides are 100% right. It all depends on what you mean when you say 'mastering.' Learning card ranks and memorizing the structure of betting rounds is indeed a simple task. Perfecting intricate poker strategies, however, has nothing in common with the term 'easy.' Real poker sharks are well aware of the fact that poker is a game of skill. And, just like any other skill it must be constantly sharpened. Additionally, people who play poker for a living, these are typically called 'professional' poker players, know that this game is very demanding in terms of knowledge. They constantly seek to improve their game via either online poker destinations or traditional poker rooms.

In this article, we intend to discuss merely the basics of poker and our target audience is probably people who are making their very first steps in this exciting gaming world. The first thing you need to know about poker is that this game can be played at home, at a brick and mortar casino venue or even online. We recommend that poker beginners start their poker career playing online simply because of the vast selection of virtual poker rooms that offer players the option of playing for free. Remember that in traditional casinos, poker is all about money and when you are only in the first phase of getting familiar with game you can lose a lot of cash. In addition, online games are less stressing for beginners and you typically have more time to figure out moves.

Poker for beginners

Poker is a game in which players compete against each other or against the dealer, depending on the version of the game. Most of the basics we are going to cover here are relevant for all poker versions, whether the most popular or the rare ones. The main purpose is to make an unbeatable 'hand.' A hand is a combination of five cards of a certain rank and suit.

First and foremost, you need to know that there are 52 cards in a deck with four suits: Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades. On top of a specific suit, each card also has a specific rank, from the Ace (the highest of all ranks) to the 2 (the lowest rank). Any hand in a higher category beats any other hand in a lower category (for example, any Straight Flush beats any Full House). If several players hold the same exact hand, they split the pot 50-50. Poker hands go as follows (from the strongest to the weakest):

Royal Flush
This is the strongest poker hand. Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10. All of the same suit.

Straight Flush
Any five-card sequence of the same suit (such as: 8, 9, 10, Jack and Queen of diamonds).

Four of a Kind
All four cards of the same value (like: four Jacks).

Full House
Three of a kind together with a pair (such as: 9, 9, 9 with 2,2). If two or more players have a full house, a player with the highest ranking three-of-a-kind nabs the jackpot.

Flush
Any same suited five cards, but not in sequence (such as: 3, 6, 8, Queen and King).

Straight
Five cards in consecutive order. The cards can be of any suit. (like: 2 of spades, 3 of diamonds, 4 diamonds, 5 hearts and 6 clubs).

Three of a Kind
Three cards with the same value (like: 10, 10, 10).

Two Pair
Two different pairs (like: Queen, Queen and Jack, Jack). If two players have two pair, the hand with the highest pair collects the jackpot.

Pair
Two cards with the same value (such as: King, King).

High Card
If a poker hand lacks any of the combinations mentioned above, it's valued by its strongest card.

All in all poker is about challenge. Each player is required to develop his own gaming strategy with the goal of beating his opponents and nabbing the first place prize. Sometimes this task is difficult and sometimes its rather easy, it all depends on who your opponents are and how good they are in poker. It is our educated advice that after you grasp how the card suits and the hand ranking system work, you go to our Poker Games section to learn how different poker styles are played.