FAQs about Poker
What are the most common variations of poker?
The most common poker variations include:
Texas Hold'em: The most popular version, where each player gets two private cards, and five community cards are dealt face up.
Omaha: Similar to Texas Hold'em but each player gets four private cards, and must use exactly two of them with three community cards.
Seven-Card Stud: Players are dealt seven cards, three face-down and four face-up, and the best five-card hand wins.
Five-Card Draw: Each player is dealt five cards and can exchange some or all to improve their hand.
Razz: A lowball variant where the lowest hand wins.
What are the basic rules of Texas Hold’em poker?
In Texas Hold’em, players are dealt two private cards ("hole cards"). Five community cards are dealt face up in three stages: the flop (3 cards), the turn (1 card), and the river (1 card). Players must make the best five-card hand using any combination of their hole cards and the community cards. Rounds of betting occur between each stage, and the player with the best hand at showdown wins the pot.
What is the difference between a "call," "raise," and "fold"?
Call: Matching the current bet placed by another player.
Raise: Increasing the amount of the current bet.
Fold: Surrendering your hand, forfeiting any chance of winning the pot during that round.
What are "blinds" in poker?
Blinds are forced bets made before any cards are dealt in games like Texas Hold'em and Omaha. There are two blinds: the small blind and the big blind. These are posted by the players sitting to the immediate left of the dealer to initiate action and build the pot. The big blind is typically double the small blind.
What are poker hand rankings from highest to lowest?
The standard poker hand rankings, from highest to lowest, are:
Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit.
Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
Full House: Three of a kind and a pair.
Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
Straight: Five consecutive cards of different suits.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
Two Pair: Two sets of two cards of the same rank.
One Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
High Card: When no other hand is made, the highest card wins.
