Learn Poker Rules & How to Play Texas Holdem

There are a lot of variants of Poker online games in the world such as Texas Holdem, Omaha, Seven Card Stud, 5 Card Draw and many more. Among them, Texas Holdem is the most popular poker games in the world. Poker games involve some luck, but the games also require some skills as well. Skill is the one of your chances to win Poker Card Games. To truly master the skills, let’s learn everything you need to know before playing the game.

The Basic Rules of Poker Card Games

Although different types of poker games can be played, the basic rules of poker generally remain consistent from game to game. If someone asks “how to play poker”, they generally mean “how to play Texas Holdem”. Let's have a quick look at the poker rules!

The Start of the Poker Game

At the start of Texas Holdem poker, each player is dealt two cards face down (these are called ‘pocket cards’ or ‘hole cards'). Then, in the subsequent rounds, five more cards are turned up on the table. These cards are called ‘community cards’. Every player can combine these cards with their two-hole cards to make their best five-card poker hand. The first three cards are known as the “flop”; the 4th card called the “turn” and the 5th and final community card is the “river.”

The Button & Blinds

The Poker game begin in a clockwise direction around the table. Before dealing any poker cards, players must know who owns the ‘button’ (referred to as dealer). This button is used to identify where action should start from each point of the hand and which players have to post the small blind and big blind. Generally, the players to the left of the dealer are required to post a small blind and the player to the left of him must post a big blind to initiate the betting. The small blind is generally half the amount of the big blind.

The Betting Options

The poker card games players have following options when it is their turn to act:

• Bet: put chips (money) into the pot
• Call: match the amount of whatever the current bet is or match the amount of big blind
• Raise: increase previous high bet
• Fold: don’t have to contribute to the pot, but also discard their hand & cannot win any claim
• Check: pass the action to the next person in the hand

How to Play Poker

At Texas Holdem Poker, actions occur on multiple street: Preflop, Flop, Turn, The River and The Shadow. Here is an explanation of the game:

First Round of Poker Betting: Preflop

After the blinds are posted, the first betting round takes place after two-hole cards were dealt to each player. The action starting with the player to the left of big blind. This position usually referred to as “under the gun” or “UTG”. This position can either call the size of the final bet, or raise, or fold according to their wishes.

Second Betting Round of Poker Game: Flop

After Preflop betting actions are completed, three community cards are dealt turned up in the center of the table (this referred to as the “flop"). A second betting round is conducted starting with the player to the left of the button (dealer). The players can have the options to check or bet. Once a bet has been made, every player can either call, fold, or raise as they wish.

Third Round of Poker Card Games Betting: Turn

After Flop betting actions are completed, the following fourth community card is then placed face up in the center of the table (this referred to as the “turn” or “Fourth Street”). This round of betting is similar to the previous round. The players also have the options to bet, call, fold, raise or check as they wish.

Final Poker Betting Round: The River

The fifth and final community card (referred to as “the river” or “Fifth Street”) is now dealt turned up. All cards (two-hole cards and five community cards) have been dealt. A fifth betting round is conducted starting with “under the gun”.

The Showdown

After all betting rounds are completed, the Showdown is reached. The remaining active players need to determine the strength of their poker hand. The players are able to use any combination of their two-hole cards and the five community cards on the table to form the best five-card poker hand possible. When hole cards are revealed, the player with the highest-ranking hand wins the pot according to traditional poker hand rankings.

Poker Hand Rankings

A player who understand those poker rules can play any types of poker online games with ease. After reading through the following list you will have a basic understanding of different poker hand rankings and which is the best poker hand. Generally, you are looking to make the best five-cards poker hand.

Let’s take a look to the following list of Poker Hand rank from Highest to Lowest:

1. Royal Flush (or ‘Five of a Kind’): 10, J, Q, K, A, all in the same suit.
2. Straight Flush: Five cards in a sequence, all in the same suit.
3. Four of a Kind: All four cards of the same rank.
4. Full House: Three of a kind with a pair.
5. Flush: Any five cards of the same suit, but not in a sequence.
6. Straight: Five cards in a sequence, but not of the same suit.
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: When you haven't made any of the hands above, the highest card plays. In the example below, the jack plays as the highest card.

Learn the Different Types of Poker Games

As mentioned before, poker card games can be played in different formats. Below are the 5 different types of poker games you need to know:

1. Texas Holdem

   This is the most popular poker online games in the world. Texas Holdem Poker betting takes place in four rounds which including Preflop, Flop, Turn and The River. Players need to combine these cards with their two-hole cards to make their best five-card poker hand.




2. Omaha

   Omaha is the second popular poker game in the world. This poker game shares many similarities with Texas Holdem Poker but differ in the number of hole cards players are dealt.




3. Seven Card Stud

   In this poker game, every player is dealt seven cards, three not revealed and four revealed. The Player need to make their best five-card poker hand from their seven cards.




4. Five Card Draw

   In this form of draw poker, each player is dealt five cards, and each round has the opportunity to trade in one or more cards from his/her hand.




5. Razz

   This stud game is different from the traditional poker card games. The goal of Razz is to have the lowest ranked hand rather than the highest from the seven cards you are dealt.

Now you know the poker rules and how to play Poker Online Games. What’s stopping you? Let’s enjoy your Texas Holdem Poker Free Game today!