Basic Poker Rules

Confused about types of poker and poker rules? Don’t worry, you have come to the right place. We will tell you all poker game rules that you need to begin your playing journey, all you need now is interest and attention. The most popular poker format is Texas No Limit Hold’em and we will be referencing the same while we cover the below topics - 

1. How to Win at Poker
2. Poker Hand Rankings
3. Blinds and Antes
4. How To Play the Game
5. Blinds & Dealer Button

How to Win at Poker

Poker is a very easy game if you are familiar with cards and even if not then it doesn’t take much longer to learn. Once you already know the poker game rules, it is only a matter of time that you start winning.

The aim of the game is to accumulate the most chips of everyone on the table and walk out with big rewards. This is done by having the best hand according to the power rankings, highest being a royal flush. Apart from using strategies, players also bluff or scare off their opponents in order to win.

Poker Hands Rankings

In a standard game with poker rules, below is the power ranking - 

• Royal Flush: This is the best and rarest hand, highest 5 cards with same suit. Eg. A♦K♦Q♦J♦10♦
• Straight Flush: Consecutive 5 cards of the same suit. Eg. 8♠7♠6♠5♠4♠ (Straight of 8 to 4, flush of spades)
• 4-of-a-Kind: Four cards of same value. Eg. A♠4♠4♣4♥4♦ (Four of a kind of 4s)
• Full House: Three cards of same kind along with a pair. Eg. 8♦8♣8♥4♥4♠ (three 8s, two 4s)
• Flush: When you land 5 cards of same suit. Eg. A♥J♥8♥4♥2♥ (Flush of hearts)
• Straight: Consecutive 5 cards from all suits combined. Eg. 8♥7♣6♦5♦4♠ (Straight of 8 to 4)
• 3-of-a-Kind: 3 of the same cards along with any 2 other cards. Eg. A♠K♥5♠5♦5♣ (Three of a kind of 5s)
• Two Pair: As the name suggests - two pairs of any card. Eg. A♣K♥5♥K♠5♦ (Pair of K and Pair of 5)
• One Pair: Two cards of the same value are called a pair. Eg. A♦A♣7♠4♠2♣ (Pair of Aces)
• High Card: When there are none of the above scenarios then a player with highest cards in hand wins. Eg. A♣Q♦9♥6♣3♦ (Ace-Queen high)

Blinds and Antes

The first player to act (to the left of the dealer) must place a small blind, and the next player must place a big blind, after which the other players at the table may choose to call, raise, or fold. The purpose of these blinds is to bring out some chips onto the table for everyone to start playing for. The players who are in those positions must pay them.

Assuming we are playing 1-2 No-Limit Hold'em, the player to the dealer's left will place the small blind, which is 1, and the player to their left will place the big blind, which is 2. According to poker card rules, these blind bets must be placed.

There are specific positions and fixed actions related to those positions in every poker game. Antes are only used to increase the pot size prior to the flop. Players are more motivated to compete for the middle dead money because of them.

Please be aware that traditional antes are being replaced by either button or big blind antes, which are taken from one player and are larger in size. This format is used specifically in tournaments to quicken the pace of play. All players will be subject to ante as the blinds rotate at the conclusion of each hand.

How to Play the Game

Here is a general explanation of how to play a hand according to poker rules. Each player in a No-Limit Texas Hold'em hand receives two cards, known as hole cards, face down at the start of the game. When it is their turn, players will make a choice: bet, call, raise, or fold. Any combination of the player's two hole cards and the five community cards on the board can be used to create the best five-card hand, which is how players win a hand. Remember that a round of preflop betting takes place after each player receives their cards.

Flop: The first three community cards dealt are known as the flop in poker. These community cards can be used by all surviving players to try to assemble the strongest poker hand. There is one more round of betting in the game. The first player still holding the card, who is to the left of the dealer button, initiates play.

Turn: The turn is the next community card dealt after the final round of betting on the flop. Active players have a total of two hole cards and four community cards at their disposal to try and assemble the best five-card hand. There is another round of wagering. Once more, the first player still present who is seated to the left of the button initiates play. The rounds always progress in a clockwise manner. The betting round is over when all players left have made their moves.

River: The river is the final and fifth community card, also known as Fifth Street. There is one more betting round. Players reveal their hands during showdown, which is when all of the action is finished. The last wagerer, also referred to as the last aggressor, is required to show first.

The winner of pot is the player with the best combination of five-card hand.

Dealer Button and Blinds

There is always a dealer in the game whose job is to deal cards, arrange chips and declare winners after showdown. In online games, this is done by a bot but when we play at home then players often do it themselves. When there is a dedicated dealer, they are given a button which indicates that they are the dealer. The button moves clockwise on the table changing the dealer with each progressing round and the purpose is to identify who is dealing and what positions everyone plays.

Before the cards are dealth, the first player to play (left of dealer) must play a small blind and the next one plays a big blind which the rest of the people on table choose to call, raise or quit. These blinds are must pay for the players who are in those positions and the aim is to bring out some chips on table for everyone to start playing for.

Suppose we are in a game of 1-2 No-Limit Hold’em, the first player on left of dealer will play a small blind of 1 and the one left to them will play the big bet. These are must play blind bets in poker card rules.

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