How to Play Poker

The best poker players are the ones who know when to risk their chips and when to hold them close. Oscar Sánchez Photography / Getty Images

Why are professional poker players so successful in winning millions of dollars? It’s not just luck. There’s a great deal of skill involved in playing Texas Hold’em, Omaha, 7-Card Stud, and lots of other poker games. Whether you’re playing at a casino, in a poker room, or on the Internet, it takes knowledge and inside information to be a winner.

The links at the bottom of this page will take you to articles that will help you learn the basic rules of some of the most popular poker games in the world. These articles also will provide advanced strategies for winning, advice on reading your opponents, and suggestions on how to keep track of your money.

In the end, poker is gambling, so victory is never guaranteed. Nevertheless, if you’re armed with knowledge, you’ll improve your chances of coming out on top.

See these articles about poker:

If you’re planning to sit down for your first hand, you should probably go over some Poker Basics first.

Even James Bond plays it now. Say hello to the most popular game of poker around, and learn How to Play Texas Hold ‘Em Poker.

Omaha is a lot trickier, because it involves playing more than one hand. Learn the pitfalls of this challenging variation by reading How to Play Omaha Poker.

Stud poker used to be the most popular game. Read How to Play 7-Card Stud Poker and relive the glory days of this game.

The first poker game most people learn is Five-Card Draw. Refresh your memory on this and other variations in How to Play Draw Poker.

How much do you wanna bet that you’re ready to play some poker? Before you wager, you might want to review these Poker Betting Tips.

So, how good are your cards, anyway? You can assess your chances in a split second once you know How to Calculate Poker Odds.

Reading the cards is only part of the game in poker. Just as important is making the other players think you have a different hand than you do. A good liar probably knows How to Bluff in Poker.

You’ve beaten all your friends and co-workers. Now you want to take on strangers. Learn how to do so by checking out How to Play Poker in a Casino.

If you’re feeling really ambitious, you might want play for bigger stakes. In that case, you should know How to Play Poker in a Tournament.

You don’t have to go to Vegas to challenge the competition anymore. You’re a mouse-click away from a hot game. First, it’s worth a click here to learn How to Play Poker Online.

If you’re the solitary type but still want some poker action, you’re in luck. Just learn How to Play Video Poker, and it’ll be no one but you and the machine.

Once you’re in the casino, you might want to play a few other games before sitting down at the poker table. Look like you know what you’re doing with some Casino Gambling Basics.