Skip to main content

How to Play Poker – Basic Poker Rules

Ruth | March 30, 2023 | Updated on: July 31st, 2023

Recently updated on March 30th, 2023

how to play pokerNot sure how to play poker? Worry not, because this guide will help you learn how to play basic poker in simple steps. Poker is a very popular table game played using a standard 52 card deck. The game aims to create a strong and winning better than the dealers.

There are different variations that you can try out. But first, you have to know how to play poker hands. You will find the basics of poker – card game rules. This is the ultimate how to play poker at home guide.

Best Poker Casinos Online

1

$800 Bonus

+100 Free Spins

99% Payout

Rating: 4/5

99% Payout

$800 Bonus + 100 Free Spins 99% Payout - Rating: 4/5
#2

$1000 Bonus

+150 Free Spins

99% Payout

Rating: 4/5

99% Payout

$1000 Bonus + 150 Free Spins 99% Payout - Rating: 4/5
#3

$600 Bonus

+150 Free Spins

99% Payout

Rating: 4/5

99% Payout

$600 Bonus + 150 Free Spins 99% Payout - Rating: 4/5
#4

$500 Bonus

+200 Free Spins

99% Payout

Rating: 3/5

99% Payout

$500 Bonus + 200 Free Spins 99% Payout - Rating: 3/5
5

$1600 Bonus

98.28% Payout

Rating: 4.6/5

98.28% Payout

$1600 Bonus 98.28% Payout - Rating: 4.6/5
6

$1500 Bonus

98.67% Payout

Rating: 4.1/5

98.67% Payout

$1500 Bonus 98.67% Payout - Rating: 4.1/5
7

$1000 Bonus

98.67% Payout

Rating: 4.1/5

98.67% Payout

$1000 Bonus 98.67% Payout - Rating: 4.1/5
8

$1200 Bonus

98.10% Payout

Rating: 4.4/5

98.10% Payout

$1200 Bonus 98.10% Payout - Rating: 4.4/5
9

$750 Bonus

98.21% Payout

Rating: 5/5

98.21% Payout

$750 Bonus 98.21% Payout - Rating: 5/5
#10

$1600 Bonus

97% Payout

Rating: 4.1/5

97% Payout

$1600 Bonus 97% Payout - Rating: 4.1/5

How To Play Poker For Beginners

If you are new to poker, you will need some help with learning how the game works. Sure, our online poker guide touches on the poker rules but isn’t an in-depth guide on how to play poker for beginners. If you have tried your hand at the game before, it won’t do any harm going through the rules again.

1. Sign up to a Casino or Poker Room

The first step to learning how to play poker online is to register an account with a poker room or a casino that offers poker games. You have to make a deposit into your casino account if you want to play real money games. We suggest that you practice playing using free games before playing for real money.

2. Pick a Poker game

Secondly, you will have to choose a poker game that you would like to play. Like we had mentioned, there are various poker variants you choose from, such as Texas hold em, Omaha, and 7-Card Stud.   Before the game can begin, you have to place a bet. Once you have made your wager, the dealer will deal two cards for you. Once you have been dealt two cards, you can build your hand.

3. Decide How to play poker hands

Depending on the cards that are dealt with and your hand, you can decide to call your bet or fold. When you fold your cards, they return to the dealer, and a new game is started. If you choose to call your bet, the dealer will deal three cards that will sit in the middle of the table.

4. Check or Continue Playing

From the cards dealt, you can decide to bet more or check. When you choose to bet, it means that you have a match from the cards that are dealt, and you want to continue to play.

If you check, the dealer will deal one more card. When you decide to check again, the dealer will deal with the last card, and then cards will be revealed to show the winner.

5. Re-bet or Walk Way

If you have won, you can choose to re-bet or place a new bet and start the game over. If you lose or fold, you will not get back your bet. However, you can place a bet to take part in the next game.

how to play poker at home

How To Play Poker Cards

There are a number of possible winning hands that you can have. Here is a list of the poker hand rankings that you can get to win.

  • Royal flush – Same suit king, queen, jack, ace, and a ten card
  • Straight flush – Five cards in sequence from a similar suit
  • Four of a kind – Four cards that are the same numerically with one card that is a kicker
  • Full house – Two cards that are the same numerically and three different cards that are the same numerically
  • Flush – Five cards that are from a similar suit without being in sequence
  • Straight – Five cards in a series but not from the same suit
  • Three of a kind – Three cards that are the same numerically with two cards that are not related
  • Two pair – Two cards that are the same numerically, two different cards that the same numerically, and a kicker
  • Pair – Two cards that are the same numerically with three cards that are not related
  • High card – A hand with one card that has the highest value

How Do You Play Poker: Strategy

A part of learning how to play poker is learning the basic strategy. Not only will this help you make better decisions, but you will also make better bets. one of the best parts of playing online is that there are a number of free games that you use to practice your skills and strategy.

  1. Learn and understand the rules, poker hands, and the positions
  2. Start playing with low stakes until you get the hang of the game.
  3. Play fewer hands to avoid going through your chips or bankroll quicker
  4. Fold when you are unsure and know when to fold
  5. Learn the various types of poker
  6. Play tight and aggressively
  7. Take your time and be selective with the hands that you play
  8. Find a poker strategy that works for you and keep at it
  9. Play within you means, aka bankroll management.
  10. Learn poker terms like pre flop and big blinds so you can understand the game better.

Find Top Poker Rooms to Play Poker

Now it’s time to put our guide to the test. Sign up to any of the online poker sites that we have vetted on this site to play poker games. You will find all kinds of poker games, including live games. Before you make real money bets, it is important that you practice on free games.

Use our top strategy tips to guide you in making better decisions. You will be able to play more games and, in turn, have more chances at improving your good hands and chances to win.

Top Poker Guides