How to play Poker

Looking to up the ante and raise your poker game? Read our comprehensive guide on how to play, bet, and win with one of the most popular table casino games in the world! We will give you everything you need to know about poker and all the top details that mean you can raise with confidence.

What is poker?

Poker is a table casino card game played traditionally against other players. The goal of the game is to have the best hand value amongst all players at the end of the round or be the last player who’s hand is still in play. Poker is one of the most popular casino card games available today with over 120 million players worldwide; and roughly 60 million players in the US alone! Online poker further expands on the popularity of the game by adding exciting video and live poker games that capture the thrill of the casino from the comfort and convenience of your own home. Who said you can’t become a poker pro in your dressing gown?

Step by step guide on how to play poker

Step 1: Place your bets

2 cards will be dished out to each player face down. Make your initial buy-in bet and have a peek at your hand cards. If you do not place an initial buy-in bet then you have folded for the round and the game continues as normal. Player moves generally go left of the dealer clockwise.

Step 2: The cards on the table

The dealer will place 5 cards face down on the table in a line. Once all player buy-ins have been received then the first 3 cards will be flipped over. The game will then go to each player clockwise as they decide to either raise, stick, or fold. On each return to the dealer another card is flipped over until all 5 cards on the table are visible.

Step 3: Stick Move

Players have the choice of 3 moves on each round: stick, raise, or fold.

Stick is when a player decides to stay with the hand they have and not make any additional wagers. If all players choose to stick, then the next card on the table is revealed and the round is started again. If all players stick when all 5 cards are visible on the board, then the hands are shown and the results are counted to see who wins.

Step 4: Raise Move

The raise move can be done during any of your moves adds an extra bet to the pot that, when made, must be matched by all other non-folded players. If a player cannot match the raise, or chooses not to, then they must fold and are out of the round. The raise amount has to be a minimum of the buy-in amount for the round and can be as much as you currently have in winnings. Putting all of your money in triggers an all-in move that, if matched, means players have to put their entire pot into the running.

Step 5: Fold Move

A player eliminates themselves from the round. Folding will give up any money that is put in by the folded player for that round. Can happen either due to having a weak hand or choosing not to match another player’s raise. A fold can be done at any point during the game including before making your initial bet. Study the cards on the table and the betting behaviour of your opponents to gauge when is a good idea to fold.

Step 6: Winning

After all cards have been turned over, then all remaining players show their hand and the winner is decided based on who has the strongest hand. Final raises can be made before the reveal and the player who has the best hand wins the pot. If all but one player has folded before all cards are revealed, then the last player standing wins automatically. Winnings are taken and the game restarts.

Step 7: Learn the combos

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Top 5 tips for poker

1. High cards are good- if you start with a face card (J, Q, K, A) then you have the potential for a strong game
2. Have a plan for each hand- if you see the potential to achieve higher pair values then stick to that as a goal
3. Don’t bank on a high card win- even a pair of 2s can beat a high card Ace
4. Pace yourself when raising- if you raise too soon it might alert the other players of a good hand
5. Pay attention to other player actions- if someone is a little too eager to raise big then it might be more beneficial to fold than try to match it

Biggest differences between online and land casino poker?

Betting amounts- Land casino poker tables can be full of high-roller veteran players with large sums of money being won and lost in a single hand. This can cause hefty buy-in amounts and intimidate new players. Online poker lowers the buy-in amount per game so you can play and learn on your budget; not the budget of the top players.

Convenience- Land casinos poker is played at a real casino with all of the stuffy rules that come with it. Online casinos put the best games at your fingertips from the comfort of your own home. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the fun!

Speed- Land casino poker, much like a lot of land casino games, is fast-paced and dictated by the speed of the dealer. Online poker puts the speed of the game into the player’s hands meaning that you have more time to learn the ropes and get comfortable at your own pace.

Types of poker

Texas Hold’em- One of the most popular poker variations in both land casinos and online. Texas Hold’em features 5 table cards and two hand cards for a total of 7 cards in play. Cards on the table are flipped after each round until all 5 are visible and final results are made.

Omaha- A popular variant on the standard Texas Holdem rule set but with a total of 9 cards are in play. The number of cards on the table remains at 5 but the player hand is increased to 4 cards in each game. The extra cards create extra excitement as more cards mean more potential pairings and a higher likelihood of achieving the higher pairings such as Flush and Royal Flush.

Video Poker- Video poker streamlines the poker experience by using only 5 cards total. The only cards in play are the 5 on the table and they are face down at the beginning of each game. When bets are made, the cards are flipped and any pairs will stick for the next flip. The rest of the cards that aren’t paired will be flipped over and back again and winnings are paid for any successful pairings.

Where can you play poker online?

You can play all of the best online poker games, including the top live poker games, now on MrQ. Sign up to MrQ today to receive 20 free spins and 24 hours of free online bingo!