How to Play Poker: Hand Rankings and Texas Hold’em Basics

Poker is a family of card games in which players bet on who has the best hand – or who can convince the others that they do. Unlike most casino games, skill really matters: over time, better players win more. This guide covers the hand rankings, the basics of Texas Hold’em and the main poker games you will find at online casinos.

From strongest to weakest:

1. Royal flush – A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit.
2. Straight flush – five cards in sequence, same suit.
3. Four of a kind – four cards of the same rank.
4. Full house – three of a kind plus a pair.
5. Flush – any five cards of the same suit.
6. Straight – five cards in sequence, mixed suits.
7. Three of a kind – three cards of the same rank.
8. Two pair – two different pairs.
9. One pair – two cards of the same rank.
10. High card – none of the above; the highest card plays.

Texas Hold’em is the most popular poker game in the world. Each player makes the best five-card hand from two private cards and five shared community cards.

1. Blinds – the two players to the left of the dealer button post forced bets: the small blind and the big blind.
2. Pre-flop – everyone gets two hole cards, and the first betting round begins.
3. Flop – three community cards are dealt face up, followed by a betting round.
4. Turn – a fourth community card and another betting round.
5. River – the fifth card and the final betting round.
6. Showdown – remaining players show their cards; the best hand wins the pot.

On each betting round you can check (if no one has bet), bet, call a bet, raise it or fold. A hand can also end early if everyone else folds.

• Poker rooms – you play against other people. The site takes a small fee from each pot (the rake) or a tournament entry fee. Skill decides results over time.
• Casino poker games – you play against the house at a fixed house edge, as in Casino Hold’em, Three Card Poker and Caribbean Stud. Strategy reduces the edge but cannot remove it.
• Video poker – a single-player machine game based on five-card draw. Some versions, played with perfect strategy, have RTPs above 99%.

• Play fewer hands. Most beginners play too many weak starting hands. Strong starters include big pairs and high cards like A-K.
• Use position. Acting after your opponents gives you more information, so you can play more hands from late position.
• Bet with purpose. Know whether you are betting for value or as a bluff.
• Manage your bankroll. Play stakes where a session’s losses do not hurt – a common rule is to have at least 20 buy-ins for your level.
• Start with micro-stakes or free games to learn without pressure.
• Take breaks after big wins or losses to avoid emotional decisions (“tilt”).

Find sites with good poker rooms and casino poker tables in our guide to the best online poker casinos.