The Complete Guide on How to Play Poker

Poker

Learn How to Play Poker

Contrary to what some people may think, poker gameplay is pretty straightforward. Texas Hold ’em variation is the most popular, and you can play either the regular online RNG version or the live dealer version. In the RNG version, you are playing against a computer, while the live dealer version allows you to play against other players and a human dealer. 

Here are some quick points you should know about online poker’s gameplay

  • Poker comes in numerous variations, but Texas Hold ’em is the most popular
  • The game is based on the player with the best hand based on poker rankings
  • There are five game rounds in poker - Pre Flop, Flop, Turn, River and Showdown
  • In each game round, you can choose actions like Call, Fold and All-In
  • The last player with the best hand during the showdown wins the pot

How to play poker step-by-step?

You can learn the entire poker gameplay within minutes by following the simple steps discussed in this section. The good news is that with the online version, you can play at your own pace, giving you the needed time to hone your skills and become a badass poker player. 

Step 1 Place your bets

As with every game, the first step in playing online poker in India for real money is to place your bets. The player on the left to the dealer button kicks off the betting by placing a small blinds bet according to the table’s betting limits. The player to the left of the small blinds is also required to place a big blinds bet (double the small blinds bet). After that, the dealer deals two face-down cards to each player on the table. This is called the Pre-Flop round.

Poker - Place your bets
Step 2 Playing Action

With every player having their two cards, the player to the left of the big blind and other players yet to place a bet will have three options - fold, call or raise. The aim is for every player to match the big blinds or the highest bet amount on the table. However, note that should a player raise the big blinds, he must wager at least twice the amount.

Playing Action
Step 3 The Community Cards

There are a total of five community cards in poker. After the pre-flop round, when all bets have been placed, the dealer will reveal three community cards. This round is called the Flop, and players can then check to see whether their hand is strong enough. Depending on each player’s choice, they can check or use any of the three playing actions discussed previously at their disposal - fold, call and raise.

The Community Cards
Step 4 Time for the turn

After the flop round, the dealer takes another card from the deck to add to the existing three community cards. This is the Turn, and betting is opened to players with the same three playing actions as before available to each player. The next round after the Turn is the River, where the fifth card is drawn to complete the community cards. As usual, players will have the four playing actions - check, fold, call or raise - and the pot keeps building.

Time for the turn
Step 5 The Showdown and Final Round

The showdown is where the remaining players at the table reveal their two face-down cards to see who has the strongest poker hand. Hands are ranked according to poker rules, with the high card being the lowest and the royal flush being the highest. The player with the strongest hand in Texas Hold ’em poker wins the entire pot, and a new game session can begin with the dealer button moving one position to the left.

The Showdown and Final Round

What are winning poker hands?

Hand Sequence
A - K - Q - J - 10

A, K, Q, J, and 10 all in the same suit

Royal Flush
Hand Sequence
A - K - Q - J - 10

A, K, Q, J, and 10 all in the same suit

Royal Flush
Hand Sequence
A - K - Q - J - 10

A, K, Q, J, and 10 all in the same suit

Royal Flush
Hand Sequence
A - K - Q - J - 10

A, K, Q, J, and 10 all in the same suit

Royal Flush
Hand Sequence
A - K - Q - J - 10

A, K, Q, J, and 10 all in the same suit

Royal Flush
Hand Sequence
A - K - Q - J - 10

A - K - Q - J - 10

Royal Flush
Hand Sequence
A - K - Q - J - 10

A, K, Q, J, and 10 all in the same suit

Royal Flush
How to Play Poker

Playing Poker in a Real Local Casino

There is plenty of similarity between playing poker at online casinos and playing at real-life casinos. To get started, visit a local Indian casino that features the game and take a seat at the poker table. Then the dealer accepts the blinds bets, and the gameplay begins. The entire process is the same as playing the online live poker variation discussed in the online poker step-by-step section. 

What makes a good starting poker hand?

Understanding hand strengths is hugely important for becoming a better poker player. Playing with cards that have poor poker odds is rarely a good idea. You'll most likely find yourself eating away at your bankroll as you stay in the round trying to put together a decent hand. To increase your chances of success, use the information below to recognise which hands are worth sticking with, and which to simply throw away.

You'll only get two cards at the start of a hand, so make sure they're both strong. It's much easier to play a pot with a strong holding, particularly when you're starting out, as it negates any chances of getting into sticky situations. If you know you're beat even when holding a good hand, you shouldn't be in the hand - simple. Seating plana good starting hand? sticky situations. If you know you're beat even when holding a good hand, you shouldn't be in the hand - simple. Seating plana good starting hand?

Place your bets

Some hands are considered strong in poker, and having them can give you a higher chance of winning. Hands such as Ace-Ace, King-King, Queen-Queen, Ace-King (suited), Jack-Jack and Ten-Ten are all strong hands because it is easy to form a three or four-of-a-kind with them. However, you need to watch out for the flop round to determine whether your position with the cards is good enough.

Starting Hands

Medium-strength hands are also pretty good in poker, although they are not as strong as the hands discussed above. Hands like King-Ten, Queen-Ten, Jack-Ten, 9 Pairs, 8 Pairs and 7 Pairs are good examples of this category. Depending on your position and the dynamism of the table, you may just be able to form something strong with them at the end of the day.

Starting Hands

Hands like 2 Pairs, 3 Pairs and Ace-Nine are marginal hands decent enough for the pre-flop round. However, depending on what the flop brings, these hands can easily become useless, so it may be a good time to fold. Nevertheless, there are cases where marginal hands are lucky enough to form three or four-of-a kinds or even a straight, in the case of Ace-Nine.

Starting Hands

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Yes, it is. States such as Sikkim, Goa and Daman have legal gambling, and you can play different poker variations there. You only need to ensure that the appropriate regulatory body licenses the gambling platform you choose to use.

If you are interested in playing online poker, you can check our recommended online casinos that offer them. These are licensed casinos that offer incredible bonuses and promotions and accept a wide range of easy-to-use banking options. 

Yes, you can. So long you play real money poker, you stand a chance to win money. All you need to do is win the game according to its rules. For instance, in Texas Hold ’em poker, you must have the best poker ranking hand at the end of the game rounds to win. 

Poker is predominantly a skill game with a little luck. The luck factor comes in based on the cards that players are dealt. However, you can influence the game and win the pot with good poker-playing skills and emotional intelligence.

There are numerous poker variations, but the best depends on what you want as a player. Texas Hold ’em, Draw Poker, Omaha and Stud Poker are a few of the popular variations, and each has its own unique rules. You can check the rules and study their gameplay to see which one suits your style.