How to play poker

The goal of the game

Poker is a game of betting on who holds the best five-card hand. You win a pot in one of two ways: you hold the best hand when the cards are turned over at showdown, or every other player folds before that happens. That second route is why poker is a game of skill, not just luck. A player who bets well can win pots without ever showing a card.

This guide teaches Texas Hold'em, the game played in the World Series of Poker Main Event and in nearly every card room on earth. Once you know it, every other variant on this site is a short step away.

What you need

• A standard 52-card deck, no jokers.
• Chips, or anything you can use as a consistent unit of betting.
• Between 2 and 10 players.
• A dealer button: a marker that moves one seat clockwise every hand and decides who acts first and last.

Step by step: one hand of Texas Hold'em

1. Post the blinds

The two players to the left of the button post forced bets called blinds. The small blind is usually half the size of the big blind. In a game called "$1/$2", the small blind is $1 and the big blind is $2. Blinds make sure there is always something to play for.

2. Deal the hole cards

Every player receives two cards face down. These are your hole cards and only you see them. A hand like A♠K♠ is a strong start; 7♣2♦ is the weakest hand in the game.

3. Preflop betting

The player to the left of the big blind acts first. On your turn you can fold (give up the hand), call (match the current bet), or raise (increase it). Action moves clockwise until everyone still in the hand has put in the same amount.

4. The flop

The dealer places three community cards face up in the middle. Everyone shares these. A new round of betting begins with the first active player to the left of the button. When no one has bet yet you may also check, which passes the action without putting chips in.

5. The turn

A fourth community card is dealt, followed by another round of betting. In limit games, bets usually double in size from here.

6. The river

The fifth and final community card arrives, followed by the last round of betting.

7. Showdown

If two or more players remain, they reveal their cards. Each makes the best five-card hand from their two hole cards and the five on the board. The best hand takes the pot. The last player to bet or raise on the river shows first; if everyone checked, the first player to the left of the button shows first.

Betting structures

Rules beginners break most often

• String betting. Announce "raise" or put all your chips in one motion. Going back to your stack for more without saying "raise" can be ruled a call.
• Acting out of turn. Wait until the action reaches you, even if you plan to fold.
• Cards speak. At showdown, the cards decide the winner, not what you say. Always turn both cards over.
• Table stakes. You can only bet what is in front of you when the hand starts. If you run out, you are "all-in" and can only win the part of the pot you matched.

Your first three habits

Play fewer hands than feels natural, especially from early seats. Pay attention to position, because acting last is a measurable advantage. And learn to fold: most winning players fold more than 75% of their starting hands. When you are ready, start with our guide to which hands to play.