Game Rules
PokerRead your opponents, not just cards

A strategic card game with many variants, from casual rounds to tournament play.

Players2 – 10
Time15 – 30 min
Deck52 cards · 1 deck
LevelMedium
I · The Idea

The best hand
wins – usually

I

Poker is a family of card games in which players bet on the strength of their hand. There are many variants (Texas Hold'em, Five Card Draw, Seven Card Stud) – the core principle stays the same.

Whoever shows the best hand at the end – or gets everyone else to fold – wins the pot. Skilful bluffing matters just as much as good cards.

II · Setup

Before the
game begins

II
1
Deal the cards
Depending on the variant: 2 (Hold'em) to 7 cards (Stud) per player.
2
Post the blinds
In Hold'em: two players place forced bets (small blind, big blind).
3
Prepare the betting rounds
Depending on the variant, several rounds with community cards or additional hole cards.
Before you start

Position at the table is crucial – acting later means more information about the other players' decisions.

III · Card Values
Poker hands
at a glance
III
RF
Royal Flush
Highest hand
Ten to Ace of the same suit – the unbeatable hand.
FH
Full House
Trips + pair
Three cards of the same value plus a pair.
F
Flush
5 of one suit
Five cards of the same suit, not necessarily in sequence.
P
Pair
Lowest hand
Two cards of the same value – the weakest regular poker hand.
IV · Gameplay

Betting round by
betting round

IV
1
Check your cards
Evaluate your own hand – gauge its strength before acting.
2
Bet, call or fold
Raise the stake, match it, or give up the hand.
3
Community cards
In Hold'em: more open cards are added over several rounds.
4
Showdown
Remaining players reveal their hands – the best combination wins the pot.
5
Pot won
The holder of the best hand wins the entire pot. Alternatively: all other players fold beforehand and the last one remaining wins automatically without a showdown.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Poker has countless variants worldwide.

TH
Texas Hold'em
The most popular variant with 2 hole cards plus 5 community cards.
O
Omaha
With 4 hole cards instead of 2 – more possible combinations.
5CD
Five Card Draw
The classic home game without community cards.
7CS
Seven Card Stud
With 7 cards, some face up, without community cards.
VI · Tips & Tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy Tips
+

Play position-aware – with more information about others' decisions, you can play a wider range later at the table.

+

Bluff deliberately and not too often – a credible bluff works better when it's used rarely enough.

+

Roughly calculate the pot odds – whether a call is worth it depends on the ratio between the stake and the possible win.

+

Watch your opponents' behaviour over several rounds – recurring patterns often reveal more than the current hand.

Common Mistakes
–

Playing too many weak hands just to stay involved – patience is one of the most important poker skills.

–

Ignoring your own tilt after a loss – emotional decisions often lead to even bigger losses.

–

Using bluffs too predictably – anyone who always bluffs in the same spot is quickly read.

–

Underestimating position at the table – the same hand is often weaker early at the table than late.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching Decks
Get the right deck

Poker needs a grippy deck for long sessions – our cards are made for exactly that.

View all designs →
20s Playing Cards – Twin Pack For bigger groups and long game nights. View product Viking Playing Cards – Twin Pack Two decks, ideal for 5+ players. View product
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