How to Play a Poker Game

Poker is a popular pastime most of us enjoy. It’s easy to learn but hard to master. This card game is quite tricky, so you’ll need to learn how to develop your strategy as well. You’ll also need to learn how to read other players and decide when to make your move. There are many variations of this poker ceme, but Texas Hold’em is the most popular.

Although each poker game has its own rules, the basics remain the same. All you need to do is learn how to play the basics – after that, you can get started on developing a strategy to win!

Mastering Texas Hold’em Poker

Before getting started on your first game, you need to get familiar with the basic rules. Almost 90% of beginners get confused, but that’s okay. With a little practice and some effort, you will get the hang of it.

Here’s a quick hand ranking guide to help fill you in on the details:

High Ranking Cards:

  1. Royal Flush – is the highest-ranking card sequence which consists of the A, K, Q, J, T
  2. Straight Flush – is the second high ranking card sequence that consists of any series of the suit. Example 9, 8, 7, 6, 5
  3. Four of a Kind – is the third high ranking card sequence, which consists of four cards with the same value. Example A, A, A, A

Mid Ranking Cards:

  1. Full House – Three cards with the same value and a pair with equal importance. Example Q, Q, Q, A, A
  2. Flush – All cards in the same suit. Example A, Q, 10, 6, 3
  3. Straight – Basic sequence of cards. Example 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Low Ranking Cards:

  1. Three of a kind – Five cards with three cards that have the same value. Example 10, 5, 3, 3, 3
  2. Two-pair – Five cards with two pairs. Example 10, 10, Q, 2, 2
  3. Pair – Can be five cards with any pair, whether it’s 2, 2, or A, A.
  4. High Card – Five cards with whatever is your highest card in the group.

ranking cards

Most Common Mistakes you Need to Look Out For

  • Two pairs beat a card sequence with three of a kind – this is not true. In any poker game, it would be better to have three aces instead of two.
  • A straight card sequence is better than a flush – this is also not true. Always remember when you are playing a game of Poker, one suit is always equivalent to one sequence.
  • The strength of all your cards doesn’t matter, but your highest cards do – This is true. Having a sequence of an all ace flush will beat any king flush.