Poker Cheat Sheet for New Beginner Players

Introduction

Poker can feel overwhelming at first, with all the hand rankings, odds, and strategy terms flying around. That’s where a poker cheat sheet comes in. It’s a simple, practical tool designed to guide you through the most important decisions without needing years of experience.

This blog breaks down everything you need into a clean, easy-to-follow format. You can keep it handy as you play, study, and grow into a more confident and consistent poker player.

What is a Poker Cheat Sheet

A poker cheat sheet is a summary of essential poker concepts. It’s designed to help you make quick and accurate decisions by putting foundational knowledge at your fingertips. It's especially useful in real-time situations where you might otherwise second-guess yourself.

Poker Hand Rankings (from Best to Worst)

At the heart of poker strategy is knowing which hands beat which.

Full Hand Ranking Chart

TIP: Memorize this order. Many beginners lose pots because they misjudge which hands are stronger.

Pre-Flop Starting Hand Guide (By Strength and Position)

The biggest mistake beginners make is playing too many hands. Winning poker starts with disciplined pre-flop decisions. Here’s how to simplify that with hand tiers.

Premium Hands (Raise from any position)

• AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AKs, AKo
• These are your money-makers. Play them aggressively.

Strong Hands (Raise or Call from MP/LP)

• TT, 99, AQs, AQo, AJs, KQs
• Usually worth a raise, especially in later positions.

Speculative Hands (Only play in LP or vs weak opponents)

• 88–66, ATs, KJs, QJs, suited connectors (e.g., 98s, 87s)
• These can flop big, but fold if you miss and face aggression.

Marginal Hands (Usually fold)

• Low suited aces (A2s–A5s), small pairs (55–22), offsuit broadways
• These have limited playability. Only use them in specific contexts.

Trash Hands (Always fold)

• 72o, 94o, J3o, T6o, and similar
• They lose more money than they win. Don’t get tempted.

TIP: Discipline in your first decision (pre-flop) simplifies every decision after that.

Bet Sizing Cheat Sheet (Pre- and Post-Flop)

Your bet size signals strength, weakness, and intention. It also controls the size of the pot, which affects later decisions.

Pre-Flop Bet Sizing:

• Open Raise: 2.5x–3x the Big Blind (e.g., $0.30 in a $0.05/$0.10 game)
• 3-Bet (Re-Raise): Typically 3x the opener’s raise (or 4x if out of position)
• All-In (Short Stack): 15BB or less? Often shove with strong/top hands.

Post-Flop Bet Sizing:

• C-Bet (Continuation Bet):

o 33% pot on dry boards

o 66%–75% pot on draw-heavy boards

• Value Bet: Bet with strong hands to get called by worse (typically 50%–80% pot)
• Bluff: Use smaller bets when you want folds; use overbets on scary boards to apply pressure.

TIP: Don’t size randomly. Use your bet size to tell a believable story.

Odds, Outs, and Probabilities Cheat Sheet

When you are drawing to a better hand, you must know your outs (cards that improve your hand) and whether it’s profitable to continue.

Outs and Common Draws

Quick Math – Rule of 2 and 4

• Multiply outs by 2 = approx. % chance to hit on next card
• Multiply outs by 4 = approx. % chance to hit by the river

TIP: If your odds to hit are worse than the pot odds you're getting, fold.

Poker Terminology Quick Sheet

Knowing the language helps you follow strategy content and table talk.

TIP: Use precise terms when studying or discussing strategy. It sharpens your thinking.

Top Poker Strategy Tips (Quick Glance Reference)

• Avoid limping pre-flop: Raise or fold

Limping (just calling the big blind) gives up initiative and invites multiway pots, reducing your chances of winning. Instead, enter the pot with a raise to apply pressure or fold if your hand isn’t strong enough to raise with.

• Respect position: Fold more in early position, attack more in late

Your position at the table matters. In the early position, tighten your range because many players act after you. In late position (especially the button), you can play more hands and apply pressure with raises or bluffs.

• Don’t bluff bad players: They don’t like to fold

Recreational or inexperienced players often call too much, making bluffing a poor option. Focus on value betting them when you have strong hands instead of trying to get them to fold.

• Play your draws aggressively when you have fold equity

When you have a drawing hand (like a flush or straight draw), consider semi-bluffing—betting or raising to give yourself two ways to win: either your opponent folds or you hit your draw.

• Use smaller c-bets on dry boards, larger ones on wet boards

On dry flops (like A♣ 7♠ 2♦), smaller continuation bets (c-bets) are usually enough. On coordinated or ‘wet’ boards (like 9♠ 8♠ 7♦), bet bigger to protect your hand and deny equity to draws.

• Don’t slowplay too often: Protect your strong hands

While slowplaying can sometimes work, it often gives free cards that help your opponent catch up. In most cases, fast-playing strong hands builds the pot and protects your equity.

• Don’t chase draws when you’re not getting the right odds

If the pot size and bet you must call don’t justify the price to chase a draw, fold. Chasing without proper pot odds is a fast way to lose chips over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cheat sheets allowed in poker?

In online poker, cheat sheets are allowed as long as they don’t involve real-time assistance tools that calculate optimal plays during a hand (which most sites ban).. In live poker, you generally cannot use a cheat sheet during hands at the table.

What is the most important thing to memorize from a poker cheat sheet?

Start with hand rankings and starting hands by position. These two areas alone prevent major mistakes like overplaying weak hands or misreading the board. A cheat sheet isn’t something you need to memorize all at once. It’s a resource to build your knowledge gradually over time.

Do poker cheat sheets work for tournaments and cash games alike?

Yes, with slight adjustments. Starting hands and odds are generally the same, but tournament play often requires tighter or more aggressive strategy depending on stack. Consider printing a separate tournament cheat sheet with push/fold ranges and bubble-stage tips if you play a lot of MTTs.

Conclusion

Poker rewards those who think ahead, manage risk, and stay grounded. This cheat sheet helps eliminate guesswork, letting you focus on reading the table and exploiting opportunities as they arise. In a game where small edges make a big difference, having clear guidance on hand selection, position, and odds can protect your bankroll and improve your decisions over time.