Poker Rules

Poker is a popular card game that can be played with 2-10 players. The goal of the game is to have the best hand of cards, or to bluff your opponents into thinking you have a better hand than you do. One of the best ways to learn Poker online is by participating in freeroll games on the Poker app. Freeroll games allow you to play poker against other players without risking any money.
Poker Hand Ranking
Poker hand rankings are essential to understand if you want to play the game.
Hand ranking will help you determine the strength of your hand and whether or not you should bet, call, or fold.
- Royal Flush: This is the highest-ranking hand and consists of an Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 of the same suit. It is extremely rare and is considered an unbeatable hand (A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♥ ).
- Straight Flush: This hand consists of any five cards of the same suit in numerical order. For example, a hand containing a 5 of hearts , 6 of hearts , 7 of hearts , 8 of hearts, and 9 of hearts is a Straight Flush (5♥ 6♥ 7♥ 8♥ 9♥ ).
- Four of a Kind: The hand with four cards of the same rank. For example, four 8s or four queens ( Q♥ Q♥️ Q♦️Q♣️ 5♥ ).
- Full House: This hand contains three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. For example, three queens and two jacks is a Full House (Q♥ Q♥️ Q♦️ J♥ J♥️).
- Flush: This hand contains any five cards of the same suit. For example, a hand containing 2 of hearts, 5 of hearts, 9 of hearts, J of hearts, and K of hearts is a Flush (2♥ 5♥ 9♥ J♥ K♥ ).
- Straight: This hand contains five cards in numerical order, regardless of suit. For example, a hand containing 2 of hearts, 3 of clubs, 4 of diamonds, 5 of spades, and 6 hearts is Straight (2♥ 3♣️ 4♦️5♥️ 6♥).
- Three of a Kind: This hand contains three cards of the same rank. For example, three jacks or three 7s (J♥ J♣️ J♦️ 3♥ 7♦️).
- Two Pair: This hand contains two different pairs. For example, two queens and two 10s ( Q♥ Q♥️ 10♥ 10♥️ 8♣️).
- Pair: This hand contains two cards of the same rank. For example, two jacks or two 6s (J♥ J♣️ 8♦️ 3♥ 7♦️).
- High Card: This hand is the lowest-ranking hand and is used when no other hand combinations are present. It is determined by the highest card in the hand.(J♥ 6♣️ 8♦️ 3♥ 7♦️).
Card Value/Scoring
Hand ranking, also known as card value, is the order in which different hand combinations rank. It's important to remember that in a poker game, the highest-ranking hand wins the pot. It is recommended to consider the potential hands of other players, as well as the community cards when making your own decisions. Always remember that a player with a lower-ranking hand can still win by bluffing and convincing the other players to fold.
You can learn Poker online for free by watching tutorials and tournament live streams. The videos available online can help you greatly in learning the basics of the game and improving your skills.
Understanding How Poker Points Are Calculated
In poker, points are typically awarded based on the ranking of a player's hand and their final position in the game. For example, a player who finishes in the first place may receive more points than a player who finishes in second place. The specific point system can vary depending on the type of poker being played and the rules of the specific game or tournament. In a typical tournament structure, players earn points for each tournament they play in, with more points awarded for deeper runs and wins. These points are used to determine a player's overall standing in a leaderboard or a series of tournaments.
Poker Positions
Your position at the table can greatly affect your strategy. Players who act later in the betting round have more information and therefore have an advantage.
In poker, table position refers to the player's location in relation to the dealer button, and it can have a significant impact on the way a hand is played. There are three main types of table positions in poker: early, middle, and late.
Early position:
Players in early position are the first to act in a betting round. These positions include the small blind, big blind, and the first few players to the left of the big blind. Players in early position have the least amount of information about the other players' hands and should generally play tighter and more conservatively.
Middle position:
Players in the middle position are in a better position to gather information about their opponents than those in early position. They have more options and can play a wider range of hands. Players in the middle position should be more selective with their starting hands, but can be more aggressive when the opportunity arises.
Late position:
Players in late position have the most information about their opponents and can use this to their advantage. They can play a wider range of hands and be more aggressive with their betting and raises. Players in late position should be looking to take advantage of their position and build the pot when possible.
It's important to note that table position is not a fixed thing and can change from hand to hand as the dealer button rotates clockwise. Understanding the dynamics of table position can help players make more informed decisions and improve their overall poker strategy.
How to Deal in Poker
Dealing in poker is the process of distributing cards to the players at the table. The dealer is responsible for enforcing the rules of the game, such as betting limits and proper card handling. Here is the basic process of dealing in a game of poker:
- The dealer shuffles the deck of cards thoroughly.
- He deals each player their hole cards (the cards that are dealt face down and kept hidden from other players). He starts with the player to their left and continues clockwise around the table.
- The dealer then deals the flop, turn, and river (community cards that are dealt face-up in the centre of the table) in Texas Hold'em and Omaha.
- After the final round of betting, the dealer will reveal the hole cards of the remaining players, and the best hand wins.
- The dealer button is then moved clockwise to the next player, and the process begins again.
How to Bet in Poker
Here is the process of betting in poker:
- The player to the left of the dealer (or the "small blind") is required to place a small bet before the cards are dealt. The player to the left of the small blind (or the "big blind") is required to place a larger bet.
- Once the hole cards have been dealt, the first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind. This player has the option to call (match the big blind), raise (increase the bet), or fold (give up their hand and exit the round).
- The betting then proceeds clockwise around the table, with each player having the same options.
- Once all players have had a chance to act, the dealer will reveal the flop, turn, and river (community cards) in Texas Hold'em and Omaha.
- Another round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer.
- Once all players have had a chance to act, the dealer will reveal the turn and river.
- The final round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer, and then the remaining players reveal their hole cards.
- The player with the best hand wins the pot.
It's important to note that different variations of poker game may have different betting structures, such as Pot-limit, No-limit, etc. Also, in some games, there are more rounds of betting, and some games have a fixed-limit on the amount that can be bet.
Difference Between Deal and Bet
The main difference between dealing and betting in poker is their role in the game.
Dealing is the process of distributing cards to the players at the table. The dealer is responsible for enforcing the rules of the game, such as betting limits and proper card handling. They shuffle the deck, cut the cards, and deal out the hole cards, flop, turn, and river to the players.
Betting, on the other hand, is the process of wagering money or chips on the strength of a player's hand. Players use betting to build the pot, bluff other players, and ultimately increase their chances of winning. Betting starts with the player to the left of the big blind, and continues clockwise around the table. Players can either call, raise or fold according to the rules of the game and their own strategy.
In short, dealing is the physical act of distributing the cards and managing the game, while betting is the act of wagering money on the strength of one's hand.
Difference Between Blinds and Ante
In poker, blinds and ante are used to create action and build the pot in the early stages of the hand, however, there are some key differences between the two:
Blinds
The blinds are forced bets that are placed by the two players to the left of the dealer before any cards are dealt. The player directly to the left of the dealer is required to post the small blind, which is typically half the minimum bet for the current hand. The next player to the left is required to post the big blind, which is equal to the minimum bet for the current hand. These bets are used to create action and build the pot in the early stages of the hand.
Ante
An ante is a forced bet that all players are required to make before any cards are dealt. Unlike blinds, which are posted by specific players, all players at the table are required to post an ante. The ante is usually a small percentage of the minimum bet (for example, 5% or 10%) and is used to create action and build the pot. Unlike blinds, antes do not rotate around the table, but rather all players pay it on each hand.
Purpose: The main purpose of blinds is to create action in the early stages of the hand and to build the pot. Antes serve the same purpose, but they involve all players, which can make the game more aggressive and create larger pots.
Game Types: Blinds are mainly used in Texas Hold'em and Omaha games, while antes are used in other games such as Seven-card stud, Razz, and Draw Poker games.
Dealer Button
A dealer button is a small circular disc that is used to indicate which player is the dealer for a particular hand. The dealer button is typically passed clockwise around the table after each hand, so that each player has a chance to be the dealer.
The position of the dealer button plays a critical role in determining the order of betting and the positions of the blinds, which can affect the strategy of the game. Additionally, the button is also used to determine the order of card distribution in certain games like Texas Hold'em and Omaha.
Betting Actions
Betting actions refer to the various options a player has when it is their turn to act during a betting round. The most common betting actions are:
Fold: A player can choose to fold their hand if they do not want to continue playing the current hand. When a player folds, their cards are forfeited along with the money they have already invested in the pot.
Check: A player can choose to check if no bets have been made in the current betting round. This allows the player to stay in the hand without making a bet.
Call: A player can choose to call if a bet has been made in the current betting round. This means that the player matches the current bet and continues playing the hand.
Raise: A player can choose to raise if a bet has been made in the current betting round. This means that the player increases the current bet and continues playing the hand.
All-in: A player can choose to go all-in if they do not have enough chips to make a normal bet or raise. This means that the player bets all of the chips they have remaining.
Bet: A player can choose to bet if no bets have been made in the current betting round. This means that the player is the first to put money in the pot in the current betting round.
It's important to note that the betting actions and the betting structure can differ based on the game type, limit type, and the poker variant being played.
Betting Rounds in Poker:
Preflop:
The first round of betting starts with the player to the left of the big blind (the player who is required to post a "blind" bet before the cards are dealt).

The Flop:
The dealer then deals the first three community cards, called the flop. The second betting round begins with the player to the immediate left of the dealer.

The Turn:
The dealer then deals the fourth community card, called the turn. The third round of betting starts with the player to the left of the dealer.

The River:
The dealer then deals the fifth and final community card, called the river. The fourth and final round of betting starts with the player to the left of the dealer.

The Showdown:
If there are more than one player remaining after the final round of betting, a showdown occurs, and the player with the best hand wins the pot.

Poker Etiquette
Poker etiquette includes being respectful to other players, keeping conversation to a minimum during hands, not showing your cards to other players when you fold, and not taking too long to make decisions. Additionally, players should not cheat or engage in any unethical behaviour during the game.
Variations in Poker
There are many variations of poker, each with its own set of rules and strategies. Here are a few examples of the most popular poker variations:
-
Texas Hold'em:
Texas holdem poker is the most popular variation of poker and is played with two-hole cards and five community cards. The goal of the game is to make the best five-card hand using any combination of the hole cards and community cards. -
Pot Limit Omaha:
Pot Limit Omaha is similar to Texas Hold'em, but each player is dealt four hole cards and must use exactly two of them in combination with the five community cards to make the best hand. PLO4, PLO5 and PLO are the most popular forms of Omaha Poker. -
Crazy Pineapple:
Each player is dealt three hold cards in this variation of the game. The rules to play Crazy Pineapple are similar to Texas Hold’em but with a twist – before the turn round, the players have to discard one card. -
Seven-Card Stud:
This variation is played with seven cards per player, with five community cards and two hole cards. The goal is to make the best five-card hand using any combination of the seven cards. -
Razz:
This is a variation of Seven-card stud, but the goal is to make the lowest possible hand, rather than the highest. Straights and flushes do not count against the player, and the best hand is A-2-3-4-5. -
Draw Poker:
This variation is played with five cards per player and allows players to discard and replace cards in an attempt to improve their hand. The most popular Draw Poker is 5 Card Draw. -
Caribbean Stud Poker:
This variation is played against the house, rather than against other players. The goal is to make a better hand than the dealer, and the game uses a traditional poker hand ranking system. -
H.O.R.S.E:
This is a mixed-game format that includes several variations of poker in one round of play, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven-card Stud, and Seven-card Stud Hi-Lo.
Basic Rules to Play Poker
Poker Rules to Play NL Texas Hold’em Poker
Here are the basic rules for playing No Limit Texas Hold'em:
- Each player is dealt two hole cards (face down) and five community cards (face up) are dealt in the centre of the table.
- The goal of the game is to make the best five-card hand using any combination of the two hole cards and the five community cards.
- The player to the left of the dealer (the "small blind") must post a small blind, and the player to the left of the small blind (the "big blind") must post a big blind. The big blind is usually twice the amount of the small blind.
- The first round of betting begins with the player to the left of the big blind. This player has the option to call (match the big blind), raise (increase the bet), or fold (give up their hand and exit the round).
- The betting then proceeds clockwise around the table. In No Limit Texas Hold'em, there is no maximum bet, so players can bet any amount of chips they have in front of them.
- Once all players have had a chance to act, the dealer will reveal the flop, turn, and river (community cards).
- Another round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer.
- Once all players have had a chance to act, the dealer will reveal the turn and river.
- The final round of betting begins with the player to the left of the dealer, and then the remaining players reveal their hole cards.
- The player with the best hand wins the pot.
Poker Rules To Play Pot Limit Omaha Poker
Here are the basic rules for playing Pot Limit Omaha:
- Each player is dealt four hole cards (face down) and five community cards (face up) are dealt in the centre of the table.
- The goal of the game is to make the best five-card hand using exactly two of the four hole cards and three of the five community cards.
- Rest of the rules of the game are similar to Texas Hold’em.
Poker Rules To Play Pot Limit 5-Card Omaha
Here are the basic rules for playing Pot Limit 5-Card Omaha:
- Each player is dealt five hole cards (face down) and five community cards (face up) are dealt in the centre of the table.
- The goal of the game is to make the best five-card hand using exactly three of the five hole cards and two of the five community cards.
- Rest of the playing rules are similar to Pot Limit Omaha. Pot Limit 5-Card Omaha is often considered to be a more "action-packed" game than Pot Limit Omaha because players have more options and the potential for bigger pots.
OFC Chinese Poker Rules
Here are the basic rules for playing OFC:
- Each player is dealt thirteen cards, and then must set them into three hands: two hands of five cards each (the "back" and "middle" hands) and one hand of three cards (the "front" hand).
- The back hand must be the strongest hand, followed by the middle hand, and then the front hand.
- Players take turns drawing one card at a time and setting them face up in front of them, in the order they wish to set their hands.
- Once all players have set their hands, they will reveal their hands to each other and compare them.
- Players receive points based on the strength of their hands relative to their opponents. For example, if a player wins two out of three hands against an opponent, they will receive 2 points.
- Players can also receive bonuses for making certain hands, such as a straight flush or a three of a kind in the front hand.
- The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.
Table Stakes in Poker
Table stakes is a rule in poker that states that players can only wager the amount of money that they have in front of them at the start of a hand.
The main purpose of table stakes is to prevent players from losing more money than they can afford and to ensure that players are only able to bet what they have on the table, rather than relying on credit or outside funds.
Table stakes also means that players cannot leave the table during a hand, except when they re-buy if they run out of chips.
Cash Game Stakes
The stakes of a cash game refer to the minimum and maximum amount of money that can be bet in each round of betting.
Tournament Stakes
In tournaments, the buy-in is fixed and players have a set amount of chips for the duration of the tournament, regardless of the size of the bets.
Advanced Poker Tips & Strategy
Here are some advanced poker strategies you must follow on the tables to achieve success as a professional player -
Position: Your position at the table can greatly impact your strategy and the hands you choose to play. Being in the late position (the dealer or the last few players to act) allows you to gather more information from the other players before making your move.
Hand Reading: The ability to read the strength of your opponent's hands is crucial in poker. Observe your opponents' betting patterns and try to deduce what kind of hand they might have based on their actions.
Pot Odds: Pot odds refer to the ratio of the current size of the pot to the cost of a contemplated call. Understanding pot odds can help you make more profitable decisions when facing a bet or raise.
Bluffing: Bluffing is a powerful tool in poker, but it should be used sparingly and with caution. A well-timed bluff can be the difference between winning and losing a hand.
Emotion Control: Keeping your emotions in check is crucial in poker, as it allows you to make rational decisions and avoid tilt (a state of mental or emotional confusion often marked by reckless behavior)
Those are the basics of how to play poker, and some advanced concepts that you must know before joining the game with real money. Poker is a game of skill, and the more you play, the better you will get.
Just like Poker, you can learn to play other popular games like Teen Patti, Call break, Ludo, etc online easily.
How to Play Poker Game Related FAQs
What Are Hole Cards?
In poker, hole cards are the face-down cards that are dealt to each player. These cards are only visible to the individual player and are used in combination with the community cards to make the best possible hand.
What are Community Cards?
Community cards are cards that are dealt face-up on the "board." These cards are shared by all players in the game and can be used in combination with a player's hole cards to make the best possible hand. There are typically five community cards in these games, which are dealt in three rounds: the flop, the turn, and the river.
Is Poker difficult to learn?
It is relatively easy to learn the basic rules and hand rankings, but it can take a significant amount of time and practice to master the game. The strategies involved in poker are complex and require a good understanding of probability, game theory, and psychology. Additionally, the ability to read other players and adjust your own strategy based on your opponents' actions is an important skill in poker. Overall, while learning the basics of poker is relatively straightforward, becoming a skilled player can take significant effort and practice.
Is poker a 100% skill?
Poker is a game of skills. A player with a strong understanding of the game and good decision-making skills will generally perform better than a player with less skill.
It is also worth mentioning that while poker is a game of skill, it's also a game of information. You must have an understanding of human psychology and probability concepts to make quick decisions on the table and outsmart your opponent.
Is Poker mostly luck or skill?
There is no scope of luck-based gameplay in Poker. If you want to become a successful Poker player, you have to constantly work on honing your skills through training and practice. The more you play, the more you learn.