How to Play Poker for Beginners: Basics and Poker Rules

Poker has quite an interesting history. It is considered that poker was derived from a bluffing game called “Pochen” played by Germans in the sixteenth century. Later, this game started to be recognized as “Poque” (the French version) which was brought over to New Orleans and was mostly played on riverboats.

In the mid-1800s, this game was further refined which came to be known as Poker. Over time, many new rules were added to this game, like drawing cards to improve one's hand. One such variation to this game called Stud Poker was added around the same time. There are hundreds of versions of this game that are played not only in homes but also in countless Poker rooms at casinos.

Since then, the rise of poker online games has also contributed to it becoming the most popular card game in the world. However, there are so many different types of poker games that can overwhelm a player who is just starting out. 

Common concepts for most types of Poker games

Poker-hand rankings: All poker games are based on standard poker hand rankings, which are used to determine who has the best hand in a game of poker.

In some poker game versions, the regular hand rating will be used in unusual ways, such as making the best hand the one with the lowest value (low-ball poker).

Bluffing: Bluffing is when you project confidence in your hand by betting in a way that makes it appear better than it is, hoping that your opponents would believe you and fold rather than risk a showdown with you.

Forced bets: The ante, sometimes known as the 'blind,' is a mandatory bet made at the start of each hand in most types of poker. A small blind and a big blind are common in many variations of the game, with the latter being roughly double the size of the former.

The dealer: The job of the dealer is to control the order in which the blinds are placed up and players make their bets whether you're playing poker at home, in a brick-and-mortar casino, or online. The game is normally played clockwise, beginning with the dealer.

How to play poker in a nutshell

• Each participant is dealt two cards by the dealer.

• The tiny blind is first, then the large blind.

• Players bet according to their hand in the first round of betting.

• Three 'community cards' are dealt face up by the dealer.

• The second betting round begins.

• The third betting round begins.

• The fourth community card, often called the turn, is dealt by the dealer.

• The fifth community card, often known as the river, is dealt by the dealer.

• The final round of betting begins.

• If two or more players haven't folded yet, the rest of the players must display their cards.

• According to the poker hand rankings, the winner is the one who has the best hand.

Three main poker variations

Community card poker: The amount of cards delivered to each player is fewer than a complete five-card poker hand. The players are then dealt with a number of face-up community cards  to make the greatest possible five-card hand using a combination of their personal cards and the community cards.

Famous varieties of community card poker: Texas Holdem, Omaha

Straight poker: In the original form of poker, each participant is dealt a full hand of five cards. Players can then raise and reraise their stakes until the game is over.

Famous varieties of straight poker: five-card brag, three-card brag

Draw poker: Draw poker is a poker variation in which players are dealt all five cards at the start of the game and can subsequently discard cards and be dealt replacements to try to enhance their hand.

Famous varieties of draw poker: five-card draw

Conclusion:

Poker has a way of making even the most skilled players appear silly. It's just the way the game works. With the worst hand, you're going to lose the game. You’ll lose the big pot and even misplay your hand. When you're learning, this can sometimes result in major "Feels horrible, guy" moments. Don't worry about it. Simply keep playing and improving your game. Getting the hang of it will take some time.