Poker For Beginners

If you want to learn to play poker, but you’re intimidated by playing with competitors who have far more experience, then you need to learn some basics of the game and practice a bit before heading out to the serious game. Poker is easy to learn, but can take some time to master. Following these guidelines of poker for beginners, you can gain some much needed confidence.

Start with “draw poker”. This is the most basic form of poker and is a great way to learn. All of the poker games out there began with this form.

In draw poker, you’re originally dealt five cards for building a hand. All cards remain face down during draw poker until the final showdown. Once the initial betting round is over, players will be able to discard some cards and get replacements, in order to build a better hand.

First, the dealer is determined, and then each player must pay the “ante”. The money from the ante goes into the “pot”. Once a dealer is chosen, he will deal each player, starting from his right, five cards each face down and the betting rounds start.

At the end of the round, the player with the best hand wins. If all players fold and only one player is left, he wins the round, and thus, the pot, without having to show his cards.

Understanding The Terminology

Here are some basic terms that can help you learn the poker rules you need to know.

Showdown – the end of the hand where the final two players reveal their card, determining the winner

Ante – the small fee each player pays to participate in each round of poker. All players pay this amount, even if they fold just after seeing their hand.

Bet – the money, in the form of chips, that the player puts in the pot.

Pot – the collective money put in by all players in the round. The winner of the round wins the pot.

Draw – The exchange of cards for new ones.

Fold – To drop out of a hand without calling a raise or bet.

Split Pot - A pot which is shared by two or more tied hands.

Spend some time playing draw poker with other players. You’d be surprised at how many other people are intimidated and would love an evening of poker for beginners! Practice together and make the game more challenging as you all add skills. Soon you’ll be playing poker with the best of them!