How to Play Poker (Texas Hold'em)
Poker is different from most casino games because you are playing against other players, not the house. In Las Vegas, the most common poker game is Texas Hold'em. This guide teaches beginner-friendly rules, hand rankings, betting flow, and simple strategies to help you sit at a poker table with confidence.
1) Objective of Poker
Win chips by either:
- Having the best 5-card hand at showdown
- Or making other players fold before showdown
Poker mixes luck, psychology, and strategy. Unlike slots or roulette, decisions matter.
2) Texas Hold'em Basics
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Blinds | Two players post forced bets (small blind and big blind). |
| 2. Hole Cards | Each player receives two private cards. |
| 3. Flop | Three community cards are dealt face up. |
| 4. Turn | Fourth community card dealt. |
| 5. River | Fifth community card dealt. |
| 6. Showdown | Remaining players reveal hands; best 5-card hand wins. |
3) Poker Hand Rankings (Best to Worst)
| Hand | Description |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | A-K-Q-J-10 same suit |
| Straight Flush | Five sequential cards same suit |
| Four of a Kind | Four matching ranks |
| Full House | Three of a kind + pair |
| Flush | Five same suit |
| Straight | Five in sequence |
| Three of a Kind | Three matching ranks |
| Two Pair | Two different pairs |
| One Pair | Two matching cards |
| High Card | No combination |
4) Basic Beginner Strategy
- Play fewer hands — beginners often play too many.
- Strong starting hands: high pairs (AA, KK, QQ) and strong suited connectors.
- Position matters: acting later gives more information.
- Don’t bluff constantly — new players bluff too much.
- Fold is a powerful move.
A simple beginner rule: If you are unsure, folding is usually better than calling.
5) Cash Games vs Tournaments
| Cash Games | Tournaments |
|---|---|
| Chips equal real money | Fixed buy-in, chips represent tournament life |
| Leave anytime | Play until eliminated or final table |
| More flexible strategy | Increasing blinds create pressure |
6) Poker Table Etiquette (Vegas)
- Act only when it is your turn.
- Keep cards on table and protect them with a chip.
- Say actions clearly: “call”, “raise”, “fold”.
- Avoid slow play that delays the table excessively.
- Be respectful — poker rooms value professionalism.
7) Common Beginner Mistakes
- Playing too many weak starting hands.
- Calling too often hoping to “get lucky”.
- Ignoring table position.
- Emotional play after losing a hand (“tilt”).
Poker is skill-based but still involves risk and variance. Even strong players lose sessions.
Responsible Gaming
Poker involves financial risk. Set limits before playing and treat poker as entertainment. Never chase losses. If gambling stops being fun, take a break or seek help.