As Mike Sexton famously said, “Poker takes five minutes to learn, but a lifetime to master.” The rules are straightforward. Read through this page and you will have a solid understanding of how poker works — from the mechanics of a single hand to the differences between the major game variants.
How a Hand of Texas Hold’em Plays Out
Betting Structures Explained
No-Limit (NL)
The most popular form, especially in tournaments and televised events. The only minimum bet is the big blind. Any player can bet all of their chips (go “all in”) at any time. This creates the dramatic, high-stakes moments poker is famous for. Doyle Brunson called No-Limit Hold’em the “Cadillac of poker games” — and that remains true decades later.
Pot-Limit (PL)
Popular in Europe and the standard betting structure for Omaha. The minimum bet is the big blind, and the maximum bet is the current size of the pot. This creates a middle ground between the predictability of fixed-limit and the all-in volatility of no-limit. Pot-limit games tend to produce large pots by the river without the instant all-in risk of no-limit.
Fixed-Limit (FL)
Bets are made in predetermined increments. For example, at a $2/$4 table: the small blind is $1, big blind is $2, and all preflop and flop bets are in $2 increments. On the turn and river, bets double to $4 increments. Betting is typically capped at 3-4 raises per round. Many cautious players prefer this structure because losses on any single hand are limited.
Poker Hand Rankings (Highest to Lowest)
Blinds and Position
Blinds are forced bets placed before cards are dealt to create a pot and drive action. Without them, players would wait indefinitely for premium hands. The small blind (half the minimum bet) is posted by the player left of the dealer button, and the big blind (the full minimum bet) is posted by the next player. Both positions rotate clockwise after each hand.
Before the flop, the player left of the big blind (called under the gun) acts first. On all subsequent streets, the small blind (or first active player left of the button) acts first. The player on the button acts last post-flop, which is the most advantageous position in poker.
Common Rules Questions
Who shows their cards first at showdown?
The most widely accepted rule is that the last aggressor shows first. If you bet the river and got called, you show first. If there was no betting on the final round, the first player to act shows first. Rules vary by casino, so always ask if you are unsure.
When is the pot split?
The pot is split when two or more players have the exact same hand, including kickers. For example, if the board reads 2-2-A-J-9 and two players both hold a 2 with different low kickers, they split because both play three deuces with A-J kickers (the community cards). In Hold’em, you use your two cards plus all five community cards to make the best five.
What are the rules for high-low split games?
The pot is divided between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand. For low, you need five cards ranked 8 or below (A-2-3-4-5 is the best low, called the “wheel”). One player can win both halves (“scoop”). If no hand qualifies for low, the high hand takes the entire pot. A player who ties for low with someone while losing the high gets only a quarter of the pot (“quartered”).
What is all-in and how do side pots work?
Going all-in means betting every chip you have. If called, there is no further betting for that player. If other players continue betting, they create a side pot that the all-in player cannot win. The all-in player can only win the main pot (chips matched by all players up to their all-in amount).
What is a kicker?
A side card used to break ties when two or more players have the same hand. If three players each have a pair of Aces, the one with the highest kicker wins. A-Q beats A-9, and A-K beats both.
How do you bet properly?
Either count out your chips and push them forward in one motion, or verbally declare your bet amount (which is then binding). Putting chips forward in multiple motions may be ruled a string bet and not accepted. When using a single large chip, verbally declare “raise” or it will be counted as a call.
Which suit is highest?
Suits rarely matter in poker. When they do (e.g., determining who posts the bring-in in Stud), the Bridge ranking applies: clubs (lowest), diamonds, hearts, spades (highest). Easy to remember: alphabetical order.
How do chips work?
Tournament chips have no cash value and cannot be exchanged for money; they simply track your position in the tournament. Cash game chips have real monetary value printed on them and can be cashed out at the cashier at any time. Chips from one casino generally have no value at another.
Are jokers used in poker?
No mainstream poker variation uses jokers. They sometimes appear in home games as wild cards, where players agree on specific rules before playing. “Deuces wild” is a common home game variant.
What about dice in poker?
Dice are not used in standard poker. However, Poker Dice is a separate game played with five special dice (values from 9 to Ace). Players take turns rolling and the best poker hand wins.
Game Variants: Rules by Type
Omaha Rules
Omaha plays exactly like Hold’em with one key difference: each player receives 4 hole cards instead of 2. Players must use exactly 2 of their hole cards combined with exactly 3 community cards — even if using only the community cards would make a better hand. The most popular betting structure is pot-limit.
Omaha Hi-Lo is arguably more popular than straight Omaha High. The pot is split between the best high hand and the best qualifying low hand (all 5 cards must be 8 or lower). One player can “scoop” both halves.
7 Card Stud Rules
There are no community cards in Stud. Each player antes before the deal, then receives 2 down cards and 1 up card. The lowest up card posts the bring-in (a forced half-bet). Three more up cards are dealt one at a time, each followed by a betting round. A final down card is dealt, followed by the last betting round.
At showdown, players make the best 5-card hand from their 7 cards. Betting follows fixed-limit structure: the first two rounds use the lower limit, the last three use the higher limit. Raises are typically capped at 3-4 per round.
7 Card Stud Hi-Lo splits the pot between the best high and low hands (low must qualify with all cards below 8).
Low Poker Variants (Razz and Triple Draw)
Razz: A stud game where the lowest hand wins. The best hand is A-2-3-4-5 (the “wheel”). Straights and flushes do not count against you. Aces are always low.
2-7 Triple Draw: A draw game where the lowest hand wins, but here Aces are high and straights and flushes do count against you. The best possible hand is 2-3-4-5-7 with no flush. Players get three draws to improve, with a betting round after each draw.
If you are brand new to poker, start with No-Limit Texas Hold’em. It is the most widely played variant both online and in casinos, which means you will always find games running. Learn the hand rankings, understand position and blinds, and play at the lowest stakes available while you develop your skills.