The Basics

Players get private cards (hole cards). Some games also use shared cards (community cards). The goal is always to make the best 5-card hand. After each deal of new cards, there’s a round of betting. You win either by having the best hand at showdown or by betting strongly enough that others fold.

Turn Order & Betting

• Play moves clockwise.
• When facing a bet, you can call (match), raise (increase), or fold (quit the hand).
• If no bet has been made, you can check (pass) or bet.
• Betting ends when all bets are matched or players fold.

Betting Limits

• Limit (Fixed Limit): Bets are fixed amounts based on the blinds. Raises are capped.
• Pot Limit: You can bet up to the size of the pot (total bets).
• No Limit: You can bet any amount up to your full stack.
• All-in bets can create side pots—extra pots that only players with matching chips can win.

Showdown

If two or more players remain after the final betting round, everyone shows their cards. The best hand wins.

Flop Games (with community cards)

• Holdem: 2 hole cards. Best 5-card hand can use any combination of hole and board cards.
• Omaha: 4 hole cards. You must use exactly 2 hole cards + 3 board cards.
• Betting rounds: Preflop (before board), Flop (3 cards), Turn (1 card), River (1 card).

Hi/Lo Games

• Pot splits between the best high hand and the best low hand (if a qualifying low exists).
• A low must be 5 different cards ranked 8 or lower. Example: 5432A is both the best low and a strong high.

Hand Rankings (worst to best)

1. High Card – No pair (e.g. J-10-7-5-4 = “Jack high”).
2. One Pair – Two of the same rank (e.g. A-A-Q-7-6).
3. Two Pair – Two different pairs (e.g. K-K-9-9-10).
4. Three of a Kind (Trips/Set) – Three of the same rank (e.g. 2-2-2-Q-10).
5. Straight – 5 cards in a row (e.g. Q-J-10-9-8). Aces can be high or low.
6. Flush – 5 cards of the same suit (e.g. A-J-9-8-6 of hearts).
7. Full House – 3 of one rank + 2 of another (e.g. Q-Q-Q-9-9).
8. Four of a Kind (Quads) – 4 of the same rank (e.g. 7-7-7-7-A).
9. Straight Flush – Straight of the same suit (e.g. 9-8-7-6-5).
10. Royal Flush – A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit (best possible hand).

Ties: If two players have the same hand type, the highest unused card (the kicker) decides.