Casino rules
poker rules
How a hand of poker is played and won
In poker you win a hand either by having the best five-card hand at the showdown or by betting in a way that makes everyone else fold. Players take turns to act, choosing to check, bet, call, raise or fold as the pot grows over one or more betting rounds.
The winning hand is decided by the standard rankings — see poker hands — so knowing which hand beats which is the foundation. Below are the betting actions and the order of play.
The goal
Each player tries to win the pot (the pooled bets). You can win two ways: make the best hand and prove it at showdown, or make everyone else fold before then. Because folding is always possible, poker is as much about betting and reading opponents as about the cards.
The betting actions
When it's your turn you can check (bet nothing, if no one has bet), bet (put chips in), call (match the current bet), raise (increase it) or fold (give up the hand). A betting round ends when everyone still in has put in the same amount. These five actions are the entire language of the game.
The order of play
Cards are dealt, then players bet in turn, clockwise. Many variants have several betting rounds with more cards revealed between them. If two or more players remain after the final round, there is a showdown where hands are compared and the best one wins. If everyone folds to a bet, the last player standing takes the pot without showing their cards.
The most popular variant, Texas Hold'em, gives each player two private cards and five shared community cards. For a full beginner walkthrough, see playing poker.
How a hand of poker is played, step by step
- Deal Each player receives their cards according to the variant.
- First betting round Players check, bet, call, raise or fold in turn.
- Reveal more cards In community-card games, shared cards are dealt between rounds.
- Further betting Betting continues each round as the hand develops.
- Showdown Remaining players compare hands using the standard rankings.
- Award the pot The best hand wins — or the last player left if everyone else folds.
Frequently asked questions
How do you win at poker?
Either by holding the best five-card hand at the showdown, or by betting so that every other player folds before the showdown. Both count as winning the pot.
What are the betting actions in poker?
Check (bet nothing when no one has bet), bet, call (match a bet), raise (increase it) and fold (give up the hand). A round ends when all remaining players have bet the same amount.
Do I have to show my cards?
Only at a showdown, when two or more players remain after the last betting round. If everyone else folds, the winner takes the pot without revealing their hand.