No one likes the fear of missing out. Whether you are visiting a casino, or your friends decide to play a few rounds of Poker on the weekend, knowing Poker game rules always comes in handy. Poker is a popular card game that serves as a pastime for some and an opportunity to make a few bucks for others. There are many variants of Poker, but they all follow some basic rules. Poker is usually played with 2 to 10 players and a standard deck of 52 cards.

In this blog, we will focus on one of the most popular variants of Poker, Texas Hold'em. Usually, two players, and not more than ten, can participate in the game. The goal is to win pots, which are the total amount of money bet by all players. A pot can be won in a showdown by either betting to force other players to fold or by having the best five-card Poker hand.

With a mix of luck, skill and passion, any beginner can easily learn how to play Poker and ace this game of cards.

The objective of playing poker:

Poker is a very competitive card game. The objective for anyone playing it is to win the pot, which is the sum of the bets placed by all the poker players at the table. The player with the best poker cards wins. This means winning poker is a matter of skill, strategy, and, most importantly, luck. You improve as you play, gaining insights from both your experience and observing your competitors at the table.

A poker rules chart dedicates the game end to end. Understanding and adhering to these rules is crucial. Besides the game's rules, you should always set a few ground rules for yourself. This is necessary because poker is highly competitive. Therefore, always strive to win the pot with a realistic mindset and a commitment to fair play.

Basics of how to play poker:

Before getting into the nitty gritty of playing poker, here are a few basics to know:

  • Cards

    A standard deck of playing cards for poker are used. Generally, an external individual or one of the poker players shuffles and distributes the cards for the game. This indicates that the cards each player receives are unknown and dependent on luck.

  • Chips

    Chips are always used for playing poker. The number of chips required for the game is determined by the number of players participating. Typically, 200 chips are necessary for a poker game between 7 or more players. The chips have different values, which are indicated by their various colours.
    All players at the table must purchase chips at the start of the game. To ensure fair play, all players are mandated to buy chips worth a fixed amount.

  • Banker

    As per the poker rules, an external individual is made the banker for the game. The banker collects the chips purchase amount and provides an equivalent number of chips to each poker player. The banker regulates the game. They ensure no foul exchange of chips takes place between the players, and the surplus chips are deposited with them. They uphold the adherence to the poker rules chart throughout the game.

  • Form of poker

    First things first, you need to decide the form of poker game you would like to play. There are primarily two forms of poker – Draw and Stud poker. In Draw poker, all cards are dealt face down to the players. This means you get to know the best playing cards for poker each player holds at the end.
    In Stud poker, some cards are dealt with ace up as the game progresses. This gives all players insight into each player's cards and a chance to formulate/adjust their strategies accordingly.
    Which of the two forms of poker you can play depends on the number of players and their experience. Generally, The Draw Poker is played by experienced players. The Stud Power can be played by both amateur and seasoned players.

  • Betting limits

    Irrespective of the form of poker you play, a betting limit is set. This is done to avoid a single player having an unfair advantage in the game. The betting limit is set at the start, and it remains unalterable throughout the game to ensure fair play.
    Fixed limits, pot limits, table stakes, noodles, poverty poker, and limits on raises are the different kinds of limits that can be applied to the game. Specific poker rules govern each of them, so be mindful of them.
    There are also no-limit poker games. A detailed explanation of limit and no-limit poker games is mentioned later in the blog. So, continue reading for all the details.

  • Time limit

    The banker needs to set the time limit for the game's end and ensure it is followed. Generally, the banker must announce the number of possible bets as the time limit approaches, allowing all players to adjust their betting strategies accordingly.

Hand rankings

Knowing about the rankings assigned to different sets of hands is essential to winning a round of Poker. These hand rankings are commonly applied by players around the world. Here’s an overview of the hierarchy of all the hands, ranked from the highest to lowest.

  1. Royal Flush: Most rare combination that consists of A, K, Q, J, 10, all from the same suit.
  2. Straight Flush: A combination that consists of any five consecutive cards all from the same suit.
  3. Four of a Kind: This combination consists of 4 cards of the same value and a side card.
  4. Full House: Three cards of the same value and a pair of cards of another value.
  5. Flush: In this combination. you need all the cards belonging to the same suit.
  6. Straight: You receive five cards of consecutive values. These cards belong to different suits.
  7. Three of a Kind: This combination has three cards of a common value and two cards of differing values.
  8. Two Pairs: You get two pairs of cards with the same value respectively for this ranking.
  9. One pair: Under this you get only one pair of cards with the same value.
  10. High Card: The highest single card in a hand, used to determine the winner when no other combinations are present.

Now that we understand the hand rankings, let's explore some of the rules of betting used in Poker.

Betting rules in Poker

A player can choose amongst four options while making a bet.

  • When a player chooses to call, it means they are staying in the hand and matching the current bet's value. For example, if the big blind is $3, the player needs to put $3 into the pot.
  • A player can announce a fold, which means they discard their hand and forfeit any chance of winning that round.
  • In a case where there is no open bet or raise in the ongoing round, a player can check. This would mean that the player has passed the action to the succeeding player without placing any bets or raises.
  • A player can also choose to raise (increase) the current bet, which means that other players are left with an option to either match this bet or fold.

Big blind and small blind in Poker

  • A game of Texas Hold’em is usually played using big and small blind bets. These bets are made before the dealing of cards for that round to kickstart the game.
  • One of the players take the dealer position and is given the dealer button.
  • The dealer button is passed on to the next player clockwise after every hand. The position of the dealer thus keeps changing.
  • The player to the left of the dealer plays the small blind. The small blind is typically half of the value of the big blind.
  • The player who sits two seats left of the dealer plays the big blind. The big blind is typically equal to the minimum bet amount for the game.
  • The dealer is usually tasked with assembling all the cards, shuffling them, and placing them to the left. The next dealer takes it up from there.
  • The first round of betting commences with the player that is on the left of the player who plays the big blind. Other players get their chance in a clockwise manner. The players can choose to play any of the actions mentioned above.
  • Some games may also have an ante which is a mandatory bet that is put by all the players before the cards are dealt. An ante usually works similarly to a blind bet. When both blinds and antes are being used in a game, all the players except the two on the left of the dealer button contribute the ante.

Pre-flop round

  • The pre-flop round is the first round in the game of Texas Hold'em. As a round of hand begins, every player is given two private cards face down from the standard deck. These are called the player’s hole cards. These cards are usually revealed at the showdown.
  • The pre-flop betting round begins with the player to the left of the big blind and continues clockwise. Every player takes their respective action during the game.
  • The pre-flop round completes when all players have either played the same amount of money or when all, but one player have decided to fold.

Betting structures: limit and no limit

  • Limit is a betting structure used in the game of Poker where there is a fixed amount a player can put as a bet or as a raise. The players usually assign a big bet and a small bet as a range in this format.
  • A limit game of Poker usually carries lesser risk since the prices are fixed in advance for all the players. This structure of the game usually lasts longer because of the small bets and entails a higher number of showdowns.
  • In a no limit game of Poker, players can play any amount of bet up to the maximum number of chips they have. There’s no upper limit in this format.
  • A no limit game of Poker may carry higher risk of loss as the bets are not fixed. This format also results in more effective bluffing during the game. Your risk tolerance plays a big role in choosing the betting structure of the game.

Tips for beginners

  • It is essential to familiarize yourself with the specific rules of the variant you are playing to increase your chances of winning.
  • Play strong starting hands and fold weaker ones to improve your chances.
  • Observe and analyse your opponents' behaviour and betting patterns to make informed decisions.
  • Your position relative to the dealer affects your strategy; play tighter from early positions and more aggressively from late positions.

It is usually advised to remember that Poker is as much a matter of luck and chance as much as it is of skill and strategy.

What are the best playing cards for poker?

Bicycle Playing Cards

Bicycle playing cards are a popular choice among poker enthusiasts. These cards are made from premium cardstock and have an air-cushion finish. These cards provide smooth handling and an excellent glide, making them ideal for casual games or semi-serious poker nights. Their quality and widespread availability have earned them a trusted reputation among players of all skill levels.

Copag Playing Cards

Copag cards are a staple in professional poker rooms and tournaments. They are revered for their unmatched durability and superior performance. Made from 100% plastic, these cards are resistant to bending, washing, and are designed to maintain their shape over time. With large indexes for easy readability and a smooth texture for effortless shuffling, Copag cards are a long-lasting investment for serious poker players.

Experience your first game of Poker with the best quality playing cards

After you have taken a quick look at all the rules, it’s time to get your own deck and start making the moves. You can take your Poker experience to the next level with the best playing cards that are tried and loved by many around the world. High quality sets of Poker chips and cards will not only make your Poker experience more fulfilling but are also sure to impress your friends and family. Order them here from the comfort of your home today!

Aritra Chowdhury