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Poker Basics for Beginners

Alec MartinezAlec MartinezVerifiedFacts VerifiedVerified by Head of Content: Alec Martinez

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UpdatedUpdated: 16.11.2024

Poker is popular among players in land-based and online casinos. The game attracts gamblers because of its depth, as it is not only based on luck but also requires a strategic approach. Many beginners do not know how to play poker successfully because this game has so many variations and rules to remember! So, the Rather Dashing Games experts have prepared a detailed guide with rules specifically for newbies.

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Summary+

Game Rules

If you want to play poker at a casino, the first thing you need to do is to learn its rules. It is a 2-10 person game. The goal is to win the pot, the total of bets made by the players. The game has a dealer who deals cards to the players, and they must make the strongest combination to win. However, this is not the only way to achieve success. You can convince your opponents to fold by making them believe you have the best combination. That way, you’ll also win. 

There are many variations of the game. The top three favourite options among players are Texas Hold’em, Stud, and Omaha. Nevertheless, you can experiment with less popular variations like 3-card poker. No matter the difference, the objective stays unchanged.

Next, our team will cover the basics for beginners, namely poker hand rankings, ante, and blinds.

Poker Hand Rankings

Whether you play video poker online or with a live dealer, your objective remains the same. You must collect the strongest combination possible to leave your opponents behind.

We recommend studying the hand rankings before you start playing for real money. It will help you understand when to raise and when to fold and wait for a better hand. Here are the combinations in 5-card poker from strongest to weakest:

  • Royal Flush: 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit.
  • Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
  • Four-of-a-Kind: Four cards of different suits but of equal value.
  • Full House: Three identical cards of different suits.
  • Flush: Five cards of the same suit.
  • Straight: Five consecutive cards regardless of the suit.
  • Set: Three cards of the same value.
  • Two Pairs: Two pairs of cards of the same value.
  • Pair: Two cards of the same value.
  • High Card: The highest card in the hand if there are no other combinations.
online poker hand combinations

Blinds and Antes

Blinds are a part of many poker variations like Texas Hold’em Poker and Omaha. They are called so because players bet without knowing their cards. The big blind is bet by the player to the dealer’s left, and the small blind is the bet made by the opponent to their left.

The ante is a small bet that all players must place before the cards are dealt, while only two players make blinds. Both blinds and antes ensure that there’s always some money in the pot, encouraging players to take action rather than fold every hand.

How to Play Poker Step-By-Step

Are you interested in trying poker for the first time but unsure about the rules of the game? Read our guide for dummies! Be aware that it is specifically for 5-card poker. Depending on the poker variation, the rules may vary a bit.

1. Players Place Bet

The player to the dealer’s left gets the button. The two opponents to their left place their first bets (small and big blinds). If there is an ante, all players make the minimum bet.

online poker guide step 1

2. The Dealer Deals Two Cards

The first two cards go to the player with the small blind. All other opponents receive cards clockwise. 

online poker guide step 2

3. Players Do Bet, Call or Raise

The play proceeds clockwise, starting with the player seated immediately to the left of the big blind. After seeing their cards, the player can make a minimum bet (call), raise the bet, or fold.

online poker guide step 3

4. Flop

The dealer places three cards in the centre of the table. In strip poker and other variations, these cards are called the flop. All players can use them to make combinations.

online poker guide step 4

5. The Second Round of Betting

Players can check, bet, or raise depending on the cards in hand and the flop. It is also possible to fold. The betting round is repeated two more times, and each time, the dealer adds one card. Therefore, there are five cards on the table in the last round. Players can raise the bet, call, or fold in each round.

online poker guide step 5

6. Decide on the Hand You Will Play

Players look at their cards and make combinations of them and community cards. We recommend keeping the list of winning combinations somewhere near you when you play online. After some practice, you’ll remember most of them.

online poker guide step 6

7. Each Player Plays Their Hand Clockwise

Opponents show their cards clockwise, and the one with the best combination wins. The winner gets the pot, and the dealer hands the button to the other player.

online poker guide step 7

How to Play Live Poker at Online Casinos: Strategy

You are at the gambling table for the first time. Which strategy should you use? The Rather Dashing Games experts have put simple advice for beginners that will prevent you from losing all your money quickly:

  • Estimate the possibilities in your starting hand. We advise you to consistently raise when holding pairs, suited cards, or aces. A hand consisting of an Ace and a King or an Ace and a Queen is also considered a powerful start.
  • Call in the first betting round if you want to stay in but don’t have good cards. If you have a weak hand on the flop, you can fold. 
  • Raise in the second round if you have a good hand. You can also bluff to make your opponents fold. This strategy is applicable in all variations, like 5 or 4-card poker. 
  • Fold if the current bet is too high or you have a weak hand. Keep your cards hidden when you decide to fold in the game. By doing this, you will not provide other players with information that may impact the game result.
  • Learn to read basic tells. Here’s a simple tip for playing poker at an online casino: pay attention to the actions of other players. Usually, they are unsure of their combination if they pause for a long time before betting. If your opponents quickly increase each bet significantly, there’s a high possibility they’re bluffing.

Tips on How to Play Poker Like a Pro

The Rather Dashing Games analysts have put together six tips to assist you in swiftly moving toward the level of experienced players:

  • Master the rules and hand rankings. With a good knowledge of the combinations, you realistically assess the chances of winning and make quick decisions. In addition, this way, you will know precisely when you have a strong hand and whether it is worth raising your bet.
  • Practice and watch others playing online poker. The more often you play, the faster you memorize combinations and learn to make good decisions. Watching skilled players will help you understand when to raise your bet, when to fold, and when you should bluff to win.
  • Participate in the most basic versions of the game with small bets. This way, you can learn how to play poker, improve your abilities, and test your strategy.
  • Ensure that the game is fair. We advise you to play only at reliable online casinos with the best live poker providers.
  • Control your opponents. While you can’t manipulate the cards, you can analyze the situation and influence other players.
  • Distinguish between aggressive and cautious players. The first ones frequently take risks by placing high bets early on. Those who are conservative do the inverse.

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Poker Variations

Poker originated in the 10th century. Since that time, numerous variations of the game have been developed, each with its own set of slightly different rules:

Texas Hold’em

This particular version gained popularity at the beginning of the 2000s and has maintained its place ever since. In this poker variation, players create the strongest combination of five cards on the table and two in possession. Texas Hold’em is perfect for you if you want to understand how to play poker in practice. It is the most popular variation, so you’ll always find someone to play with online. The game is suitable for a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 players.

7-Card Stud

While Texas Hold’em is the preferred choice for many, 7-Card Stud remains a timeless favourite. Playing it is not easy due to the absence of flip or community cards. Every player receives seven cards, with three being dealt face up and four face down. You must make the best combination from five of them to collect the best hand. In the betting rounds, every participant shows some of their cards and decides to raise or fold based on this.  

5-Card Draw

It’s the oldest variation of poker. People played it back in the 19th century, and now it has not lost its popularity. There are no flips or community cards. Instead, players exchange cards. This occurs following the first betting round. You can exchange any number of cards or choose not to exchange any at all. Following the second round of betting, there is a showdown. The winner is the player with the strongest hand. This version can be played even with 2 people. The maximum number of participants is 6.

3-Card Poker

In this variation, your opponent is the casino dealer, not the other players. At the start of the game, you place a bet (ante) and get three face-down cards. The hands are ranked according to traditional poker rules but with some changes. To win, you need to make a stronger combination than the dealer. Royal flush (A, K, Q), straight flush, three-of-a-kind, straight, pair and high card are the highest-ranked hands. Since there are only three cards in the game, you won’t be able to collect a straight flush, 4-of-a-kind and two pairs.

Chinese Poker

While this variation may not be widespread, it is incredibly engaging to participate in. It bears little resemblance to a typical poker game. The goal for the player is to create three hands with varying levels of strength. The cards are set in three squares – backhand, middle hand, and front hand. The combination in the front hand should be stronger than in the middle hand, and the combination in the middle hand should be stronger than in the backhand. There are no blinds in this version, and winning brings points that determine your payout. 

Omaha Hi-Lo

While this variation may not be simple for beginners, that doesn’t make it dull. The main feature is the split pot. There are two possible winners: the player with the leading high-value hand and the player with the leading low-value hand. The five-card combination can comprise four individual cards and five community cards. A single player can gather both hands and win the whole prize. The main advantage of the game is the wide variety of cards available for collection, which prevents players from only focusing on the strongest hand.

Summary

In this guide, Rather Dashing Games’ experts have explained how to play poker, covering the basic variations and providing winning tips. Remember that poker is a game of chance that requires constant practice. Learn the combinations well and watch the skillful players’ games. This way, you will learn how to act in different situations and master the bluff – a psychological technique that can turn in your favour even a seeming failure. 

Now that you know the rules, nothing stops you from choosing a reliable online casino and starting to play. Use our tips, bet, and win! And keep in mind that gambling involves risks, so make sure to play responsibly.

FAQ

No. Three-of-a-kind (set) is a stronger combination.
Texas Hold’em is the most popular variation in online casinos, so you will always find a table to play. Nevertheless, there are additional variations as well.
Two people can play Texas Hold’em, 7-Card Stud, 5-Card Draw, and Chinese Poker. The players alternate between betting a small and a big blind. The remaining rules are identical.
Alec Martinez
Author (Head of Content)
5 Articles
Alec Martinez, the Head of Content at Rather Dashing Games, brings over a decade of experience in the online gambling industry. His journey at Rather Dashing Games began as a Content Writer in 2012, progressing to Senior Editor in 2018, before assuming his current role in 2022. Alec’s comprehensive knowledge of the iGaming landscape enables him to oversee the content strategy, ensuring all reviews, guides, and articles meet the highest standards of quality and relevance. His passion for the industry drives him to lead a team of writers and editors, creating engaging and informative content that empowers players to make informed decisions.
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