Mastering the Basics: A Guide on How to Play Poker for Beginners

According to a recent study published by the New York Times, around 50 million people play Poker in the US alone. However, whether you’re looking to play recreationally with friends or plan on hitting up the Casino, learning how to play the game ahead of time is pivotal.

After all, this will help you improve your overall strategy so that you increase your chances of winning big! However, if you’re a complete novice, it can be hard to know where to start, which is where this guide goes.

Poker Basics for Beginners

Rules of the Poker Game

Before sharing tips on becoming a poker pro ahead of your next game night, you should first ensure that you understand the basic rules of poker.

For example, you should start by ensuring that you understand the value of each card in play. This way, you’re able to make the most strategic move(s) possible when the cards have been dealt.

Poker is played with a standard 52 deck of cards. They are low-to-high as follows: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace. In Texas Hold’em, each player will receive two cards from the dealer at the beginning of each round. The objective is to use these cards, and the cards are later placed in the center of the board to form the best hand. If you have the best-performing hand in a specific round, you’ll receive the sum of all bets.

Mastering Poker Hands

The potential hands are ranked as follows:

• ROYAL FLUSH. A hand containing an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit.
• STRAIGHT FLUSH. A hand containing 5 consecutive cards of the same suit. For example, this could include 10, 9, 8, 7, and 6 of clubs.
• 4 OF A KIND. A hand containing four cards of the same rank. For example, this could include four kings and a Jack. If two players have 4 of a kind, the remaining card (also known as the Kicker) determines who wins, which is typically based on which card is of a higher value.
• FULL HOUSE. A hand containing 3 matching cards of one rank, and two matching cards of a second rank. For example, this could include three Kings and two 10s.
• FLUSH. A hand containing 5 cards from the same suit. This means that they do not need to be in consecutive order. For example, this could include 2, 3, 10, Queen and King of Hearts.
• STRAIGHT. A hand containing 5 cards of consecutive rank, but from different suits. For example, this could include 2 of clubs, three of hearts, four of diamonds, five of clubs, and a six of spades.
• 3 OF A KIND. A hand containing three cards of the same rank. For example, this could include three Queens, a 10, and an Ace.
• 2 PAIR. A hand containing two sets of cards of matching rank. For example, this could include two Queens, two tens, and a six.
• HIGH CARD. A hand containing no matching sets or consecutive ranks but featuring a card ranking higher than an opponent's.

Working to understand the different hands (and their rankings) will make gameplay much more straightforward, as it means you’ll know when to bid, fold, check (and so on). This means that you protect your best interest in scenarios where you are playing for money, such as at a local casino.

Starting a Poker Game

Before a Poker Game starts, players use their chips to place a small bet. This is known as a buy-in. In some cases, there is a minimum buy-in. Once every player at the table has put down their chips, the dealer will hand out cards to each player. The number of cards dealt can change depending on the style of poker you are playing. For example, in a game of Texas Hold’em, each player receives two cards. These are known as your hole cards.

Playing Poker

Based on the cards in your hand, a second betting round begins. Players have the option to raise (add more money), call (match the current bet), or fold (forfeit the round). This means that your options are dictated not only by your own cards but those of other players, too.

Once a second round of bets has been placed, three community cards are turned face-up on the board. This is known as the flop. Based on what this reveals, you’ll place a bet using one of the same three formats listed above. The fourth card is then revealed (Turn), and the sequence continues. When the fifth card is turned over (River), the player with the best hand (who has not forfeited) wins.

Playing Poker Online

Playing Poker online is not drastically different from playing in person. This is because the basic rules and objectives remain the same; the only difference is the setting itself. Furthermore, many online poker sites are designed to be as user-friendly and immersive as possible, making it easier than ever to have fun no matter where you are in the world.

This is something that the team at 247 Poker is particularly passionate about.

Another benefit associated with playing 247 Poker is that you can choose between a wide range of styles and themes. This includes:

• Spring Poker
• Summer Poker
• Fall Poker
• Winter Poker
• Christmas Poker
• Easter Poker
• 4th of July Poker
• Halloween Poker
• New Year's Poker
• Valentines Poker
• St Patrick's Poker
• Cinco De Mayo Poker

Our poker games are accompanied by a range of immersive sounds, such as the sound of card shuffling. This makes it a little easier to feel as though you’re playing an in-person game, though you can always turn off this feature by pressing the megaphone button on the top left-hand corner of the screen.

To Play 247 Poker online, you should:

1. Select your difficulty level. Players can choose between four levels of difficulty: Easy, Medium, Hard, and Expert. Beginners should always start on Easy, whereas more experienced players should try the hard or expert mode. Remember, you can always find an alternative between the levels to find one you feel comfortable in.
2. Place your first bet. 247 Poker is entirely free to play. However, every player starts out with the equivalent of $1,000 in poker chips. You’ll have to either match or raise the bet of the player before you.
3. Look at your hand. Cards will be dealt automatically after the first round of betting. Based on the cards in your hand, you can choose to:
• Raise. Increase the bet, encouraging other players to do the same or fold.
• Call. Match the previous bet.
• Fold. Forfeit the round.
4. Flop. The first three community cards are revealed face-up on the screen. Based on this and the cards in your hand, you determine whether to raise, call, or fold. The game continues.
5. Turn. The fourth community card is revealed. Gameplay continues as listed above.
6. River. The fifth and final community card is revealed, and the final betting round takes place. In this section, players must either match bets or forfeit. If more than one player remains in play, the winning hand wins the chips on the board. Otherwise, the only remaining player wins.

247 Poker features an intuitive, user-friendly design that makes online poker as accessible as possible. For example, when raising a bid, you can drag your mouse along a slider at the bottom of the screen. For each round, the minimum amount you can bid is $1, and the maximum is $150.

Playing Poker at Home

Whether you’re playing online or in person, there are many benefits tied to playing poker at home. For example, this allows you to get to grips with the game in a space where you feel entirely comfortable, meaning you’re less likely to feel stressed or under pressure. This is the optimal environment for learning, meaning that you’ll get yourself up to speed as quickly as possible, even as a beginner who has never so much as watched a game of poker previously.

As such, it's a perfect way to develop and hone your skills before you begin to play competitively or in social settings. If you become a poker pro, you may even want to keep a good thing going by hosting the poker night at your own home!

Objectives in Poker

As outlined above, the main objective of poker is to win the pot placed on the table (the chips placed during each of the betting stages). There are two ways in which you can obtain the pot:

• Having the winning hand
• Outbidding the other players, causing them to forfeit

This means that while you have no control over the cards that you are dealt, there are certain steps you can take to increase your chances of winning the pot, even with a bad hand.

This is a process known as bluffing, through which you work to raise the pot quite considerably, indicating to other players that you have great cards in your hand. This requires you to develop an excellent poker face that does not give away any of your secrets! This is something that many players struggle with. However, there are certain steps that you can take to perfect your poker face:

• Stay neutral. Work on maintaining a neutral expression that is not too different from your ‘resting’ face. This is particularly important when playing with those who spend a lot of time on you, as they’re more likely to spot differences in your demeanor.
• Try to relax. Any tension in your face (or body) will be relatively easy for other players to pick up on, which is something that they can then use against you. Try to push your shoulders down and relax your jaw.
• Stop avoiding eye-contact. Avoiding eye contact is often a sign of nerves, so don’t be afraid to make eye contact with your opponent when necessary. This will give the idea that you are confident in both your cards and playing strategy, even if this could not be further from the truth.
• Keep your voice steady. If you’re playing in-person, it's normal for players to converse between or during rounds. This means that you need to keep your voice calm and steady to avoid giving anything away.

Fast Ways to Learn Poker

While it may seem complicated, poker is a relatively simple game. You can learn to play relatively quickly by:

• Ensuring that you understand the ranking of each card
• Ensuring that you understand the different playable hands and how they rank
• Reading online guides that talk you through the basics of playing poker
• Playing as often as you can to sharpen and refine your skills in a practical setting
• Keep the rules to hand when playing for the first few times, or let other players know that you are just starting out
• Avoid playing with ‘real’ money when you’re first starting out

Playing online is also a great way to rapidly develop excellent poker skills, and there are many different reasons for this.

Firstly, online poker games tend to be a little shorter than in-person games. This is because you are essentially playing against a computer, meaning that the other ‘players’ make near-instantaneous decisions when it comes to folding, calling, or raising. This means less time waiting around and more time playing.

Beyond this, the more time you spend playing poker online, the more you’ll understand the game as a whole. Furthermore, when playing online, you can learn anywhere, at any time, as opposed to having to visit a casino or dust off your poker set. This means that you can squeeze a quick poker session into your morning commute or lunch break!

As mentioned above, playing online also gives you the chance to develop your skills in an environment where you may feel more comfortable. When playing in a group setting, you may feel slightly anxious as a beginner, which means that you aren’t focusing or taking risks that could help you win. Furthermore, you don’t have to play with ‘real’ money when playing online, which is sometimes necessary when playing in-person games. This means that you can enjoy a risk-free game, which is essential when you are first starting out in the world of poker.

Finally, when playing 247 Poker, you have four difficulty settings to choose from. This means that you can start with a relatively easy game before gradually working your way up as your skillset develops. This will make you a more competent and confident player so that, in time, you’ll feel confident enough to play in different settings!

Final Thoughts: Playing Poker as a Beginner.

Whether you’ve been invited to a friend's poker night or have always wanted to give the game a try, there are many reasons why you may be looking to take your first steps into the world of poker. However, as a beginner, it can be hard to know where to start.

Fortunately, this guide should tell you everything you need to know to get started, whether you’re playing online or in person.

Key Takeaways:

• Poker is played using a standard 52 deck of cards
• Cards are ranked 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace (low-high)
• The objective of the game is to win the pot by either outbidding or out betting other players and/or having the highest-ranking hand.
• Your hand refers to the two cards in your hand (hole cards) and three cards from the five community cards placed on the board.
• The highest-ranking hard is called a royal flush, though there are other variations that you can win with.
• During each round, you’ll be given the option to raise (increase the amount of money in your pot, which the following player then has to match), forfeit (remove yourself from the round), or call (match the bet placed by the player before you).
• Players take it in turn to take on the role of the dealer between each round
• When working to increase the pot, players should work to maintain a poker face. This means that they do not reveal their odds to other players, giving them the opportunity to win even when they have been dealt a bad hand

Beyond the advice listed above, the easiest way to become a better poker player is to simply start playing. As with any skill, the more time you dedicate to developing your poker abilities, the better player you’ll become. Playing online on sites such as 247 Poker allows you to play at any time, anywhere, and from any device - which means it's easy to fit into a quick practice game.

Furthermore, you can alternate between different difficulty settings to provide yourself with a suitable challenge. This way, when you do begin to play in person, such as against your friends at a dinner party or even at a casino, you’re already confident in your ability.

DISCLAIMER: The games on this website are using PLAY (fake) money. No payouts will be awarded, there are no "winnings", as all games represented by 247 Games LLC are free to play. Play strictly for fun.