Poker Rules
The rules of poker differ between games, but most share a structure: players receive cards, bet in rounds, and the best hand wins at showdown, or the last player left wins the pot.
The simple explanation
In most poker games, you are dealt cards, there are rounds of betting, and the best five-card hand wins. You can bet, check, call, raise or fold.
A closer look
Hands are ranked from high card up to the royal flush. Games differ in how many cards you get, which are shared and how the betting is structured: fixed limit, pot limit or no limit. The dealer button decides who acts. Basic etiquette includes acting in turn, not showing cards in play and not talking about a live hand.
A practical example
In Texas Hold'em, each player gets two cards, five community cards are dealt, and the best five-card hand wins.
Full explanation
The rules of poker differ between games, but most share a structure: players receive cards, bet in rounds, and the best hand wins at showdown, or the last player left wins the pot.
Poker has many variants with similar rules.
Players bet in rounds.
The best hand wins at showdown.
Learn the hand rankings first.