POKER RULES: STEP BY STEP
Poker and the associated poker rules are exciting, but can quickly become complicated. So that you are well prepared for your poker game, in this step-by-step guide we explain the poker rules and how cash games and tournaments are played. We will also introduce you to the different poker variants. You can try them all at our Bizzo Casino.
THE RANKING
With the rules of poker, the aim is to get to the money in the middle of the table (= the pot). Either by driving everyone else out of the pot, or with a strong hand. If your hand is stronger than your opponent’s, the poker pot is yours.
Below you will find poker explained simply and all poker hands clearly listed in descending order. We start with the strongest hand in our poker guide for beginners:
- Royal Flush: Best possible straight flush. For example, A-K-Q-J-T (ace-king-queen-jack-ten) in one suit.
- Straight flush: A straight and a flush at the same time. For example 4-5-6-7-8 in one suit.
- Four of a kind: Four cards with the same face value: for example 6-6-6-6. Synonyms you might come across: Quads or Four of a kind.
- Full house: Three of a kind and a pair: A-A-A-5-5.
- Flush: Five cards in the same suit.
- Straight: Five cards in a sequence: 2-3-4-5-6.
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank: About 5-5-5. Possible synonyms: Set, Trips or Three of a Kind.
- Two pairs: Two aces and two kings make two pairs.
- One pair: Two aces make a pair.
- High Card: The highest card is scored.
The strength of the hands depends on the frequency. The royal flush is so rare and difficult to form that months or years may pass before you see the hand. A second note: The above ranking refers to Texas Hold’em, but applies equally to many other poker variants. Exceptions prove the rule.
RULES FOR BEGINNERS
Below we guide you through the online poker rules German for No-Limit Texas Hold’em Poker. This variant is the most widespread in the poker cosmos. Often “poker” is even used as a synonym when actually talking about Texas Hold’em. The game process described can be transferred to many other poker variants. In some cases, you have to look for the differences with a magnifying glass. You can find out more about Omaha Poker below.
What the rules of the poker games always have in common:
✔️ Firstly, there is a forced bet. The blinds or ante stakes breathe life into the poker tables.
✔️ Secondly, there is always one or more betting rounds. This preserves the bluff – the core element of the poker game.
✔️ Thirdly, there is a showdown at the end of the round. The players must turn over the hole cards; the strongest hand wins.
BLINDS AND POSITIONS IN POKER
There are different positions at the poker table:
♥️ Early positions (= UTG, “under the gun”)
♥️ Middle positions (= MP, “middle position”)
♥️ Late positions (= cutoff and button)
♥️ Blinds: Small and big blind to the left of the dealer.
The rules of poker for beginners state: The positions change clockwise after each round and determine when it is the players’ turn. And: Who has to make the compulsory bet. These are called blinds and make the game of poker interesting.