Poker is game you can play with 2 to 8 players with a deck of cards. Each player gets a set number of cards and there are shared community cards placed on the table. The aim is to make the best poker hand with the individual player cards along with the community cards. The standard poker game is Texas Holdem and all other poker game rules are based on this standard.
In this how to poker guide we will include all the basics, tips, strategies plus a step by step tutorial. You will also find a quick Texas holdem guide, 7 card stud and 3 card draw poker guide. Basic rules on how to bet, when to call or raise are included.
Moreover we have this list of the best online poker sites that we have reviewed curated just for you:
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 200% Bonus up to $2,000, can be claimed 5x. This bonus only applies for deposits of $35 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: WELCOME200
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% up to $2,500. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: SPELL250
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 350% up to$3,500, can be redeemed 4x. This bonus only applies for deposits of $35 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 505% Bonus up to $1,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 10x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: 505INSTANT
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 400% up to $10,000 This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: 400BONUS
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 400% up to$4,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $35 or higher! 50x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: LUCKYRED400
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 450% Bonus up to $4,500. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 50x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: HIGHNOON200
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% up to $2,500, 200% for 2nd, 150% for 3rd. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 35x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 200% up to$2,000, can be redeemed 3x. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 35x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 100% Bonus up to $747, can be claimed 2x. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 50x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: MANHATTANSLOTS
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 100% Bonus up to $1,000, can be claimed 3x. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 45x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: BETCASINO
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% Bonus up to $5,500. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 35x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: KOALAFUN
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 400% Bonus up to $4,000, can be claimed 2x. This bonus only applies for deposits of $35 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 400% Bonus up to $4,000, can be claimed 2x. This bonus only applies for deposits of $35 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 555% up to $5,550, can be claimed twice. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% Bonus up to $5,500. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 35x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: CHERRYSLOTS
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% Bonus on 1st Deposit, 150% Bonus on 2nd – 4th Deposit. This bonus only applies for deposits of $30 or higher! 35x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 150% up to$300. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 30x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: WELCOME
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% up to$2,500. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 30x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: WINTASTIC
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% Bonus on 1st Deposit, 150% Bonus on 2nd – 4th Deposit. This bonus only applies for deposits of $30 or higher! 35x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 100% Bonus up to $100, plus 9 more bonuses. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 30x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: JCWELCOME
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 200% Bonus up to $5,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: JUICYVEGAS
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 100% Bonus up to $259, can be claimed three times. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 20x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 100% Bonus up to $259, can be claimed three times. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 20x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 100% Bonus up to $1,000, can be claimed twice. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 45x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: SBCASINO
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% up to $4,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 30x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: WELCOME250
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 150% Bonus on all Deposits on First Day. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 10x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 300% Bonus up to $1,500. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: PRIMA300
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – $8,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 50x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: HOTSPRINGS
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 240% up to$2,400, on 1st Deposit. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: GARNET
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 160% Bonus up to $1,600. This bonus only applies for deposits of $35 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: LUCKYCOINS
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% Bonus up to $2,500. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 10x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: FIESTA250
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 200% Bonus up to $2,000 (Up to $3,000 if you use Crypto). This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 35x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 300% Bonus up to $3,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: BIGEVENT
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 200% Bonus up to $2,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $50 or higher! 5x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: WELCOME200
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 300% Bonus up to $3,000, can be claimed 2x. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: ECLIPSE300
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 300% Bonus up to $7,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 35x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: ROYAL
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% Bonus up to $2,500. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: OMERTA250
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 10,000% Bonus up to $5,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 10x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: THEBIGONE
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 100% Bonus up to $1,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $30 or higher! 30x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: MAD275
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 100% Bonus up to $11,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 50x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: ALLSTAR1
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 200% Bonus up to $1,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $45 or higher! 45x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: BIGSPIN200
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 200% Bonus up to $500. This bonus only applies for deposits of $45 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: XBC200
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% up to $2,500 + 50 Free Spins. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 10x Wagering Requirement (40x with Crypto). Use Bonus Code: MIGHTY250
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% up to $2,500, 200% for 2nd, 150% for 3rd. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 35x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% up to$500, can be redeemed 4x. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement.
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 400% Bonus up to $8,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: CHERRY400
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 100% Bonus up to $1,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: WELCOME100
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 100% Bonus up to $1,000, can be claimed 9x. This bonus only applies for deposits of $30 or higher! 30x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: GS001
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% Bonus up to $2,500. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 50x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: WELCOMEBUZZ
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 235% Bonus up to $2,350. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: IRISHCHARM
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 200% Bonus up to $5,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: SP200
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – $8,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 40x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: SUMMERALIEN
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 250% Bonus up to $5,500. This bonus only applies for deposits of $25 or higher! 35x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: KOALAFUN
18+. New players only. Welcome Bonus – 500% Bonus up to $1,000. This bonus only applies for deposits of $20 or higher! 10x Wagering Requirement. Use Bonus Code: THEKINGS
Poker starts with initial buying bets to build up the pot. These initial bets are known as the antes. All players have to pay them to participate in the game. After that, cards are handed out. Each player gets two cards face down.
Three community cards known as the flop are set in the centre of the table face up. Thereafter the two players left of the dealer make the first two compulsory bets known as the small and the big blind. The game continues from there with players making plays like checking, call, raising or even folding.
In learning how poker works, it is important to be familiar with the different variations. Texas Holdem is the standard and most popular game. In fact once you understand how to play that version you are well on your way to playing 3 card, Caribbean stud, Omaha and many other poker games.
Playing Poker Online vs Brick and Mortar Casinos
Poker is a game of bluffing and making it look believable hence the term “poker face”. Even when you do not have the best hand you could play in such a way that makes the other players think their hands are weaker than yours and fold. If all players fold the last player standing wins the pot.
When you play online the bluffing element is taken out of poker and depending on what your strengths are could be an advantage or disadvantage.
Online poker moves at a faster pace than at land-based casinos.
You can play with smaller amounts in online poker games than at brick-and-mortar casinos.
10 Step Poker Tutorial
The hole cards are dealt
The first round of betting begins, each player puts in their “ante”
The flop, that is, the first three community cards are then dealt
Another betting round follows
The next community card is dealt known as the turn
Another betting round follows, some players may “check” or “fold” (see poker terms)
If there are still players the next round of betting begins which is called the river
Players who have not folded must now reveal their hands, this called the showdown
The player with the best hand wins the pot.
Where two players have identical or similar pairs hands the pot is either split equally or given to the player with higher ranking cards
Learn Poker Online
In order to successfully master online poker, you need to understand the basic poker game rules as well basic poker terms. There are many variations of poker, with Texas holder being the most popular. Other common poker games are Omaha, poker, 3-card poker and 5 card poker amongst others.
Try out the different online poker variants until you find the one you are most comfortable with. Once you have found your perfect poker game, you can then learn all the nuances of the different variants.
How to Play Texas Holdem Poker
Texas holdem follows the standard step by step game play of poker. Each player gets two-hole cards followed by a round of betting. Then followed by 3 shared community cards known as the flop. There are two additional community cards that come after the flop.
7 Card Stud Poker
Seven card studs used to be the main poker staple before Texas Holdem took over in popularity. The main difference between 7 card poker and the main Texas variation, is that there is no small blind but a bring in. The bring in is the compulsory bet that the player with the lowest ranking face up card is obligated to make. The initial cards each player gets is a total of three instead of the usual two.
How to Play 3 Card Poker
With this version, it’s not so much about how you make the best hand. Each player gets three cards and that is it. There are no community cards. There are no small or big blinds either. Bets are made before the game commences.
Heads Up Poker – How to Play Poker with 2 People
Heads up poker is a game of poker between two players. Each player takes turns being the dealer.
The player dealing first is the small blind and the other player the big blind.
Before the game begins each player draws a card and the high card gets to be the dealer first.
The dealer always goes first before the flop and the after the flop the big blind plays first.
Poker Basics for Beginners
Ante – the minimum bet required from all players before a hand is dealt. This is required to contribute to the prize pool which is known as the pot
Buy-In – The amount needed to play at a specific poker game.
Community Cards – are cards dealt face up seen by all players to use in making a hand.
Flop – this refers to the first three community cards dealt out after the first round of bets
Fold – this is ending your game when you feel your hand is too weak to hold against what you think everyone else has. You place your cards face down and thereby lose anything you have bet so far.
How to Play Poker FAQs
How do you play poker online with friends?
You play poker online with friends through the best online poker sites that offer multiplayer virtual poker tables. You can also play online poker with your friends through various online poker tournaments.
Can you play poker with 2 people?
You can play poker with two people, it’s called heads-up poker.
What is the easiest poker game to learn?
The easiest poker game to learn is 3 card poker.
How do you play poker online for real money?
Sign up to the best online poker sites which are legally registered and audited for fairness. That way you are guaranteed of getting your real money payout.
What is the best poker site for real money?
Best online poker sites for real money offer players a wide range of poker games, not just Texas holdem. Top poker sites also have mobile gaming which functions on both Android and iOS. You should also be able to get bonuses to use on a variety of poker games and win real money.
Can you play online poker for money in the US?
Yes, you can play online poker for real money in the US as long as you do so at a legit online casino.
Can I play poker on my phone for real money?
You may play poker on your phone for real money through top online casinos. All the best online poker sites for mobile gaming whether you’re using Android iOS or a different operating system.
Is online poker legit?
There are thousands of online poker sites on the internet so it may be difficult to find which casinos are legit and which aren’t. However, that is not to say there are no legit poker sites online. In fact, we have reviewed hundreds of poker casinos and found over 50 which offer legit real money poker games.
