Learn to play

1. The goal

You get two cards only you can see. Then five shared cards are dealt face up in the middle. Your hand is the best five cards you can make from those seven. Best hand wins the chips in the middle (the pot).

You can also win without the best hand: if you bet and everyone else gives up (folds), the pot is yours.

2. What beats what

From strongest to weakest. You don't need to memorize it now. You can always check the hand rankings page.

1. 1. Royal flushA♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠
2. 2. Straight flush9♥8♥7♥6♥5♥
3. 3. Four of a kindQ♣Q♦Q♥Q♠7♦
4. 4. Full houseK♦K♥K♠4♣4♥
5. 5. FlushA♦J♦8♦6♦2♦
6. 6. Straight10♣9♦8♠7♥6♣
7. 7. Three of a kind8♠8♥8♦K♣3♠
8. 8. Two pairJ♥J♣5♦5♠A♥
9. 9. One pair10♥10♠K♦7♣2♥
10. 10. High cardA♣J♦9♠6♥3♣

3. Quiz: which hand wins?

Same five cards on the table for both players. Who has the better hand?

4. Your options when it's your turn

Check: pass without betting (only if nobody has bet). Call: match the bet. Raise: bet more. Fold: give up the hand.

5. You're ready

The best way to learn is to play a few hands. Start against relaxed bots, then bring your friends in.

Want the full rules? Read how to play.