How to Play Classic Poker

So you want to learn how to play classic poker? While many variations on the game of poker exist, the classic game is generally considered to be 5 card stud. You’ll need to understand the general rules of poker, the value of the cards and what hands beat other hands. While this guide is designed to introduce you to the game of poker, don’t plan to head to Las Vegas right away. As with anything, practice will improve your game.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Deck of Cards
• Chips for Betting
• 2 or more players

1. Understand the game. You play poker with a standard deck of cards. The cards are ranked from high to low beginning with the Ace and descending to the 2. The Ace is always the highest card. The deck is broken into four suites of cards: spades, diamonds, hearts and clubs. The suites have no bearing on card value. A game of poker is typically played for cash. Before playing, you should set a betting limit. Tables in gambling establishments often determine the minimum bet and maximum limit. To start a game of poker, you shuffle the deck and then deal each player five cards.

2. Deal the cards. Once everyone antes in, the dealer will give everyone five cards, face down. Dealers typically deal the cards in a clockwise fashion or from left to right if you and the other players are sitting side by side. The dealer always deals to him or herself last. Please note that when dealing the cards, you deal them one at a time to each player, not five to each player in turn. Once each player has been dealt their five cards, the players look at their cards and the player to the immediate left of the dealer will place their first bet. At this point, you determine the bet you place by the content of cards that you have in your hand. You’ll need to understand what types of hand you may have before placing that first bet.

3. Place a Bet. As described in Step 2, the player to the left of the dealer unless otherwise determined bets first. That player may open with a bet or they may check. If no betting has been made, a check simply states “I don‘t want to open the betting yet, but I’m not folding.” Once betting has opened, a player may also fold if they do not feel their hand is strong enough to continue. Their ante remains in the pot, but they are effectively out of the game. Once betting has opened, players may see the bet which is ‘match’ the current bet, raise the bet or fold.

4. Discard unnecessary cards. Now that the first round of betting is complete, players may discard any unwanted cards from their hands. A player is allowed to discard up to 3 cards. The dealer will then deal them the number of cards they’ve discarded. Once everyone has discarded and received their new cards, betting resumes.

Tips & Warnings

• Never bet more than you can afford.
• If you begin your evening with a stake and you’re out, you’re out of the game.
• Don’t be afraid to fold, folding can keep you in the evening longer.
• Practice your poker skills with friends or online before heading to a casino for serious betting.
• Remember that poker is a game of chance, any strategy you use is dependent on the cards you receive.