Learn How to Play Poker

Let’s start at the beginning, and the basic rules of poker. Learning these fundamentals is crucial to understanding how to play the game, both in a casino and online with PokerStars.

Our beginners' guide to poker rules includes an introduction to the poker table, player positions, and the order of betting rounds. We also detail the actions you can take at each stage, and what the flop, turn, and river mean to the game of poker.

If you want to get started, our Poker Rules page is where it all begins.

Before you hit the online poker tables, familiarise yourself with the basic poker hand rankings and rules that govern Texas Hold’em (and other poker variants). Once you can recognise a Flush from a Straight, or a Full House from a Three of a Kind, you’ll be well on your way to understanding the game of poker.

Use our free, simple guide to poker hand rankings, and the 10 hands every player should know before joining the action:

If you’re already familiar with poker, you may know that the most popular games are Texas Hold’em and Omaha, but our extensive guide to poker games also covers Stud and Draw games, as well as less well-known variants like Razz, and mixed games like HORSE.

Check out our full playing guide to online poker games, and then try a hand or two for yourself on PokerStars real money games. PokerStars Tournament games can be entered for as little as €1 buy-in. If that’s a step too far, you can find out how to set up a poker game at home with friends, using the PokerStars Home Game platform, or use the option to play free poker without real money, when you download the PokerStars software.

Poker is an easy game to learn, but once you have mastered the basics, there is a whole world of strategy to explore and take your game to the next level. Our poker strategy guide provides basic poker strategy and advice for players who want to progress their gameplay beyond the fundamentals. This includes making good decisions, learning the language of poker, and understanding the importance of starting hand selection.

Then, if and when you’re ready, we guide you through advanced poker concepts and techniques, including learning the different styles of play, the importance of position, and the value of knowing pot odds.