How to Play Poker: A Beginner’s Guide

Poker isn’t just a card game—it’s a global phenomenon that combines strategy, psychology, and a little luck. Whether you're playing a casual home game or trying your skills in an online poker room, understanding the rules, hand rankings, and basic strategies is the first step to mastering poker.

This guide will take you step by step through everything you need to know to start playing poker with confidence. By the end of it, you’ll be ready to sit at the table, place your bets, and start winning!

Poker Basics: How the Game Works

Poker is a betting card game in which players compete to win chips in most variants by forming the best five-card hand or making others fold before a showdown.

There are many poker variants, however the most popular suited to all experience levels are:

• Texas Hold’em: the most widely played and best poker game for beginners.
• Omaha: more action with four hole cards instead of two, leading to bigger pots.
• Short Deck (6+) Hold’em: a fast-paced version with fewer cards in the deck, creating stronger hands and more exciting showdowns.

In short, basic poker (in most variants) is played as below:           
1. Each player gets private (hole) cards.           
2. Five community cards are placed face-up on the table in stages.           
3. Players use a combination of their hole cards and community cards to form the best hand.           
4. Betting rounds happen throughout the game, where players can check, bet, raise, call, or fold.           
5. The player with the best hand at showdown wins the pot.

Now, let’s break down how a poker hand actually plays out.

Step-by-Step Guide: How a Poker Hand Plays Out & Betting Rounds

Poker is played in rounds, with multiple stages of betting and card dealing. 

Whether you’re playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, or Short Deck, most poker variants follow the same fundamental structure: players bet based on their hand strength, try to outplay their opponents, and win the pot.

Now, let’s go through a typical poker hand (e.g. Texas Hold'em):

1. Preflop – Players Receive Their Hole Cards

• Each player gets two private cards (hole cards)
• The two players to the left of the dealer post forced bets:

- Small Blind (SB) – Half the minimum bet.

- Big Blind (BB) – A full minimum bet. Some games also include a Straddle bet, which is double the big blind and acts as a third forced bet.

• Players then decide to:

- Fold (discard their hand)

- Call (match the big blind)

-Raise (increase the bet to pressure opponents)

2. The Flop – First Three Community Cards Revealed

• The dealer places three community cards face-up on the table
• Players analyze their hand and place another round of bets

3. The Turn – Fourth Community Card

• The dealer reveals a fourth community card
• Another round of betting begins as players adjust their strategy

4. The River – Final Community Card

• The fifth and final community card is revealed by the dealer
• This is the last chance for the players to bet, raise, or fold

5. The Showdown – Who Wins?

• Players reveal their hands
• The strongest five-card poker hand wins the pot

Example Winning Hand: K♠ K♦ 10♠ 10♦ A♠ (Two Pair – Kings and Tens with an Ace kicker)

Poker Hand Rankings: What Beats What?

Before you can bet, bluff, or go all-in, you need to understand poker hands—the foundation of the game.

Poker is all about hand strength. The better your hand, the higher your chances of winning the pot.

Below is a breakdown of poker hands ranked from strongest to weakest, with game examples.

• Download the full Poker Hands Ranking chart

It's important to note that in Poker, suits aren't ranked. If two or more players have the same hand type (e.g. they have a flush), the hand with the highest cards wins. So, a flush with a King high beats a flush with a Queen high, no matter what suits are involved.

Knowing how to play poker hands properly can make or break your game. If you’re holding a strong hand like a Straight or better, you might want to bet aggressively.

On the flip side, if you only have a weak pair or a high card, it’s often better to fold early and save your chips. We'll get into poker strategy later but for now let’s get to know more details about the fundamental betting rules that shape how we play.

Betting Rules & Poker Strategy

Basic Poker Betting Rules & Plays

Poker uses a forced betting system to create action and ensure there’s always something to play for. Throughout the game, at each betting stage, players can:

• Check – Pass the action to the next player without betting (if no bet is made).
• Call – Match the current bet to stay in the hand.
• Raise – Increase the bet to apply pressure to opponents.
• Fold – Give up the hand and exit the round.
• All-In - Bet all your remaining chips.

Beginner Poker Strategy

Poker isn’t just about getting good cards—it’s about playing them right.

Here’s how your hand strength should influence your betting decisions:

• Premium Hands (Pairs of Aces, Kings, Queens, Royal Flush, Straight Flush) – Raise aggressively to build the pot.
• Strong Hands (Full House, Flush, Straight) – Call or raise, but watch for potential stronger hands.
• Decent Hands (Two Pair, Three of a Kind) – Bet cautiously depending on the board and opponents’ moves.
• Weak Hands (One Pair, High Card) – Fold early unless you’re bluffing or in a favorable position.

If you're just starting out and learning how to play poker, the best advice we can give is to stay patient, play strong hands, and fold weak ones. Even after folding, keep watching hands to improve your understanding of betting, showdowns, and tactics.

The more you play, the better you'll get at reading the game and making the right calls.

Now that you know how to play poker cards and what hands to aim for, let’s move on to poker rules and how betting works.

Beginner Strategy Tips

Mastering poker is about strategy, patience, and smart decision-making.

Here’s how to set yourself up for success.

• Play strong hands – Don’t play every hand! Focus on strong starting hands like high pairs (Aces, Kings, Queens) and suited connectors (J♥ 10♥, Q♠ K♠).
• Position matters – Acting last gives you an advantage.
• Don’t chase bad hands – If you’re behind, folding saves you money.

Common Poker Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Want to avoid costly mistakes at the poker table? Here are the biggest errors we see new players make—and how to fix them.

• Playing Too Many Hands – Be selective! Weak hands lose money.
• Ignoring Position – Play more hands from late position for an advantage.
• Overvaluing Weak Hands – Fold when necessary.
• Chasing Losses – Don’t go on tilt! Stick to your strategy.

Speaking of playing smart, let's take a look at poker odds and probability for making decisions.

How to Use Poker Odds & Probability to Win More Hands

As we've mentioned once or twice, poker isn’t just about luck—it’s about making the right decisions based on probability. Therefore, knowing when to bet, fold, or raise can help you save chips and win more hands.

Different poker variants influence these decisions. In Texas Hold’em, position and community cards dramatically impact hand strength, while in Omaha, additional hole cards create more outs and higher variance.

While we’ve covered in-depth poker odds separately, developing a strong foundation in probability and strategic decision-making is essential for long-term success at the table.

Online vs. Live Poker: Key Differences

Essentially, online poker offers faster games, bigger tournaments, and better promotions, while live poker provides a social, psychological edge.

FAQs

Is poker a game of skill or luck?

Poker is a mix of skill, strategy, and a little luck. While the cards you’re dealt are random, winning consistently comes down to decision-making—reading your opponents, managing your bankroll, and playing the odds. Over time, skilled players will always come out ahead.

Is poker easy to learn?

Yes! Poker is easy to learn but takes time to master. At WPT Global, we make it even easier with beginner-friendly games, low-stakes tables, and strategy guides to help you improve and gain confidence.

What is the easiest poker game to learn?

If you're new to poker, Texas Hold’em is the best place to start. It’s the most popular variant, has simple rules, and is available at all skill levels on WPT Global. We also offer Omaha and Short Deck Hold’em for when you're ready to mix things up!

What is the first rule of poker?

The first rule of poker? Know your hand strength! Before making any move—betting, calling, or folding—understand where your hand ranks. Not sure? WPT Global has hand-ranking guides and beginner-friendly games to help you learn.

Ready to Put Your Poker Skills to the Test?

Poker is easy to learn but takes time to master. Now that you understand the rules, hand rankings, and basic strategy, it’s time to start playing!

• Want to improve? Practice, study poker odds, and play smart
• Ready to play? Download the app and start playing poker