Basic Rules

The basic poker rules for beginners and experienced players alike, with a focus on rules for Texas Hold'em, the most popular form of poker. Texas Hold'em is played in the main event of the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour.

The Basics

How the hands are ranked

Hands are ranked as follows (from high to low):

Five of a Kind
Straight Flush
Four of a Kind
Full House
Flush
Straight
Three of a Kind
Two Pair
Pair
High Card

Descriptions of Hand Ranks

Five of a Kind

A poker hand consisting of five cards of the same rank. This is only possible when playing with wild cards.

Straight Flush

A poker hand consisting of 5 cards of the same suit whose ranks form a sequence. Thus, a straight flush is both a Straight and a Flush. The highest possible straight flush is AKQJT of the same suit (also called the Royal Flush). The lowest possible straight flush is 5432A of the same suit.

Four of a Kind

A poker hand, four of the same rank, as four aces or four deuces. Ranks above a full house and below a straight flush. Also called quads.

Full House

A poker hand, consisting of three of one rank plus two of another. Ranks above a flush and below four of a kind. Often identified by the three of a kind. Three kings and two 3s is a full house, often known as kings full, and sometimes more specifically as kings full of 3s.

Flush

Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. The hand ranks above a straight and below a full house. A flush is often specified by its top one or two cards. For example, A K 9 4 2 is called an ace-king flush.

Straight

Straight, five cards in sequence, such as 76543. The ace plays either high or low, making AKQJT and 5432A. "Around the corner" straights like 32AKQ are usually not allowed.

Three of a Kind

Three of a kind, three cards of the same rank and two kickers of different ranks, such as KKK84. Ranked by the trips, so that KKK84 beats QQQAK, but QQQAK beats QQQA7.

Two Pair

Two pair is exactly as it sounds- holding two pairs. Please note that it is impossible to hold a "three pair." Poker hands only consist of five cards. Even if one is playing a poker game where more than five cards are in consideration (such as Texas hold'em or 7 card stud), you only use your best 5 card poker hand.

Pair

One pair with three distinct cards. High card breaks ties.

High Card

IIf none of the players have anything of value, the player holding the highest-valued card wins, with the 2 as the lowest card, and the Ace as the highest. In the case of a tie, you move to the next highest card, and continue.

Betting

In most games, you must 'ante' something (usually fixed sum, such as $1), just to get dealt cards. When using blinds, only players holding blinds have to ante. At the end of the hand, the highest hand wins the pot.

Call: Calling is the act of matching whatever someone has bet or raised. For example, if someone bet $1 you can then call $1. If someone subsequently raises to $2 you will have to pay $1 to call his raise.
Raise: To raise, you must match whatever has been bet so far on the given betting round and then raise an additional amount. In limit Texas Hold’em, the amount of the raise would be whatever the poker betting amount is on that given round. Reraising is simply the act of raising an opponent who has already raised.
Fold: Folding is the act of giving up on the hand as you do not want to match a bet or raise. You throw away your cards and have no chance of winning the current hand.

Betting continues until everyone calls or folds after a raise or initial bet.




	POKER FEATURES Poker News Poker Articles POKER ONLINE Basic Rules Glossary Tips Poker Books POKER BOSS.net Gambling Links About PokerBoss.Net Poker Reviews Bodog Lucky Nugget Orchard Party Poker Planet Poker River Belle The Gaming Club		Basic Rules The basic poker rules for beginners and experienced players alike, with a focus on rules for Texas Hold'em, the most popular form of poker. Texas Hold'em is played in the main event of the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour. The Basics How the hands are ranked Hands are ranked as follows (from high to low): Five of a Kind Straight Flush Four of a Kind Full House Flush Straight Three of a Kind Two Pair Pair High Card Descriptions of Hand Ranks Five of a Kind A poker hand consisting of five cards of the same rank. This is only possible when playing with wild cards. Straight Flush A poker hand consisting of 5 cards of the same suit whose ranks form a sequence. Thus, a straight flush is both a Straight and a Flush. The highest possible straight flush is AKQJT of the same suit (also called the Royal Flush). The lowest possible straight flush is 5432A of the same suit. Four of a Kind A poker hand, four of the same rank, as four aces or four deuces. Ranks above a full house and below a straight flush. Also called quads. Full House A poker hand, consisting of three of one rank plus two of another. Ranks above a flush and below four of a kind. Often identified by the three of a kind. Three kings and two 3s is a full house, often known as kings full, and sometimes more specifically as kings full of 3s. Flush Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. The hand ranks above a straight and below a full house. A flush is often specified by its top one or two cards. For example, A K 9 4 2 is called an ace-king flush. Straight Straight, five cards in sequence, such as 76543. The ace plays either high or low, making AKQJT and 5432A. "Around the corner" straights like 32AKQ are usually not allowed. Three of a Kind Three of a kind, three cards of the same rank and two kickers of different ranks, such as KKK84. Ranked by the trips, so that KKK84 beats QQQAK, but QQQAK beats QQQA7. Two Pair Two pair is exactly as it sounds- holding two pairs. Please note that it is impossible to hold a "three pair." Poker hands only consist of five cards. Even if one is playing a poker game where more than five cards are in consideration (such as Texas hold'em or 7 card stud), you only use your best 5 card poker hand. Pair One pair with three distinct cards. High card breaks ties. High Card IIf none of the players have anything of value, the player holding the highest-valued card wins, with the 2 as the lowest card, and the Ace as the highest. In the case of a tie, you move to the next highest card, and continue. Betting In most games, you must 'ante' something (usually fixed sum, such as $1), just to get dealt cards. When using blinds, only players holding blinds have to ante. At the end of the hand, the highest hand wins the pot. Call Calling is the act of matching whatever someone has bet or raised. For example, if someone bet $1 you can then call $1. If someone subsequently raises to $2 you will have to pay $1 to call his raise. Raise To raise, you must match whatever has been bet so far on the given betting round and then raise an additional amount. In limit Texas Hold’em, the amount of the raise would be whatever the poker betting amount is on that given round. Reraising is simply the act of raising an opponent who has already raised. Fold Folding is the act of giving up on the hand as you do not want to match a bet or raise. You throw away your cards and have no chance of winning the current hand. Betting continues until everyone calls or folds after a raise or initial bet.