Poker Basics - terms, rules, hands and definitions

Before you head in for you stag party to remember get to know the rules of the game

Learn the basics of Texas Hold'em poker with our illustrated guide below.

And remember - all Raw Poker private poker tournaments include a complimentary poker lesson - so anyone can play.

Good Luck!

Texas Hold'em Rules

1. A small dealer button identifies a player as a dealer. The dealer button moves left in a clock wise fashion to the next player,    after every hand.

2. Before any cards are dealt to the players, the pot is formed through bets known as blind bets or ante.

    1. First player to the dealers left puts the first blind bet called small blind.
    2. Second player to the dealers left puts the second blind bet called big blind.
    3. The first blind bet is smaller then the second blind bet that's why we call them the small blind and the big blind.
    4. Since the bets are placed with out seeing the cards they are called blinds.
    5. According to poker rules, blinds are considered live bets and can be checked, called, raised or folded.

3. Each player is dealt two cards face-down called private cards . Face-down means no body else sees your cards except you.

4. The player left of the big blind makes the first bet starting the first betting round, where you can call, raise or fold.

5. Now three cards are dealt face-up placed in the center of the table starting the second betting round.

    1. Player left to the dealer bets first.
    2. These cards are called community cards , since they are available to all players.
    3. This round of betting is called "Flop" .

6. The fourth community card is dealt face-up in the center of the table starting the third betting round called "Turn" . In this round     the betting amount doubles from the previous one.

7. The fifth and the final community card is dealt face-up in the center of the table to start the last betting round called "River" .

8. After the final round of betting it's time for showdown and the player with the highest hand wins the pot. Where as identical hands split the pot. The dealer button moves to the next player to play the next hand.

Poker Hand Rank Chart

The best possible hand in poker is a royal flush. All cards are of the same suit and make a "Broadway" straight.

Royal Flush

All cards are of the same suit and make a straight.

Straight Flush

Simply put, four of the same value card.

Four of a Kind

Three of a kind and a pair together in the same hand. A full house is the best hand that you will see on a somewhat normal basis.

Full House

All cards are of the same suit. It's value is determined by the top card. The best flush has a top card of an ace.

Flush

All cards are in sequential order and not of the same suit.

Straight

Three of the same value card.

Three of a Kind

Two Pairs of different value cards. The highest pair determines hands power. Aces and twos is a better two pair that Kings and Queens.

Two Pair

A pair of the same value card.

Pair

The highest card in your hand. No pairs, etc.

High Card

Click here to contact us !