Poker 101: Hands, Terms and How It Works
Poker might seem like there’s a lot to learn, but you don’t need to know everything to understand the basics.
A good place to start is knowing what makes a strong hand, some of the common terms you might see and what to check before you play.
So, How Does Poker Work?
Poker is a card game where different combinations of cards create different hands. Some hands are stronger than others, and their ranking determines which hand wins.
The exact gameplay and rules can differ depending on the poker game you choose, so always check the game information before you start.
What Are the Different Poker Hands?
Here are the standard poker hands, starting with the strongest:
Royal Flush: 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace, all in the same suit.
Straight Flush: Five cards in numerical order, all in the same suit.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same value.
Full House: Three cards of one value and two cards of another value.
Flush: Five cards of the same suit that aren't in numerical order.
Straight: Five cards in numerical order that aren't all in the same suit.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same value.
Two Pair: Two different pairs of matching cards.
One Pair: Two cards of the same value.
High Card: If you don’t have any of the combinations above, your hand is ranked by its highest card.
It might look like a lot to remember, but the rankings will start to feel familiar once you’ve seen them a few times.
A Little Poker Lingo
Depending on the poker game you’re playing, you might come across terms such as:
Hand: The cards you have available to make a combination.
Suit: The four types of playing cards: hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades.
Fold: End your participation in the current hand.
Call: Match a bet that has already been made.
Raise: Increase the current bet.
Keep in mind that not every poker game uses the same actions or rules, so check how your chosen game works before you play.
A Few Tips Before You Play
Learn the hand rankings. Knowing which hands beat which will make poker much easier to follow.
Check the rules. Poker games can work differently, so take a quick look at the game information before playing.
Set a budget. Decide how much you’re comfortable spending and stick to it.
Take your time. You don’t need to learn everything at once. Start with the basics and build your knowledge as you go.
Ready to Give Poker a Go?
And that’s the basics of poker covered. Once you understand the different hands and a few common terms, the game becomes much easier to follow.
Take your time exploring poker games on All Star Slots, check the rules before you play and always keep your budget in mind. Remember, T&Cs apply, so make sure you read them before getting started.
