Poker Rules

This is a general index of the poker rules available on this site.  The poker rules for most poker games can be found here including rules for common poker games as well as poker rules for many lesser known poker games.

First, a word about poker in general.  Poker is a game of odds.  In a poker game there are a set number of cards being used and a certain number of players in the game at any specific time.  The most successful poker players are the ones that are good at knowing where the odds stand when it is time for them to bet, and then adjusting the amount of their bet based on those odds.  To do this well, you need to be familiar with poker hands, the fundamental poker odds of getting a particular poker hand, the mechanics of poker betting, and the particular rules of the poker game you are playing.

With this knowledge, advances in skill are largely a matter of practice.  As in any sport or game of skill, the more you play the better you will get.  You will develop your ability to understand the strength or weakness of your hand in a particular poker game at a particular point in time and adjust your betting accordingly.  Relax, take your time, have fun.

Now, a further word about the rules of poker.  Poker games generally revolve around three styles of rules.  Community card poker games in which poker players share a common set of cards together with personal cards that they hold in their hand.  Draw poker games in which players can exchange cards in their hand for new cards.  Stud poker games in which players play the cards they are dealt.  Many of the poker rule differences among the various poker games involve the number of cards dealt, the order and manner in which the cards are dealt, and the number or timing of the poker betting rounds.  The following pages will take you through the specific rules for the various poker games.

A quick note about poker tournament rules.  If you are playing in a poker tournament, it is very important that you are familiar with the basic rules of poker tournament play.  They are not difficult, and although the rules may vary somewhat from tournament to tournament, the rules of poker tournament play are generally similar.  Take a look at the poker tournament rules for the World Series of Poker (see World Series of Poker Rules) to become familiar with the basics, and then when you get ready to play in a poker tournament check to see if there are any unique rules for that particular poker tournament.

Now, here is a summary of the poker game rules you will find on the following pages.

The Community Card Poker Games section includes Community Card Poker Rules for popular poker games such as Texas Holdem, Omaha, and Manila Poker as well as poker rules for other community card poker games including Pineapple Poker rules, Crazy Pineapple Poker rules, Tahoe Poker rules, Double-Board Holdem Poker rules, Courchevel Poker rules, Pinatubo Poker rules, Iron Cross Poker rules, Tic Tac Toe Poker rules, Lame Brain Pet Poker rules, and Six Pack Poker rules. 

Poker games such as Texas Holdem and Omaha are among the most popular community card poker games and can be found at most poker rooms and casinos.  Some poker games have regional followings such as Manila Poker which is popular in Australia and parts of Europe.  Other poker games (Lame Brain Pete for example) will rarely be found outside of home poker games but these games are a lot of fun with some friends.

The Draw Poker Games section includes Draw Poker Rules for many varieties of draw poker including standard Five Card Draw poker rules, Garden Jackpots also known as Jacks to Open rules, California Lowball Poker rules, California High-Low Split Poker rules, High-Low Poker with Declare rules, Double-Draw Poker rules, Four-Before Poker rules, Johnson Poker and Jacks Back Poker rules, Q-Ball Poker rules, Shotgun Poker rules (with Roll'em Out and Skinny Minnie), Spit in the Ocean Poker rules, Pass the Trash Poker rules, Anaconda Poker rules, as well as poker rules for other variations of Draw Poker.

The Draw Poker games are very popular with home poker games but are not seen often at casinos and poker rooms.

Finally, the Stud Poker Games section has Stud Poker Rules for many Stud Poker games such as Five Card Stud poker rules and Seven Card Stud poker rules as well as many Stud Poker game variations including Auction Stud Poker rules, Baseball Stud Poker rules, Chicago Stud Poker rules, Cowpie Stud Poker rules, Draft Stud Poker (Socialist Poker) rules, High-Low Stud Eight or Better rules, Kentrel Stud Poker rules, Mexican Stud Poker rules, Mississippi Stud Poker rules, Razz Stud Poker (and London Lowball Poker) rules, Six-Card Stud Poker rules, as well as a few other Stud Poker game rules.

Stud poker games are very popular and a lot of fun.  Most poker rooms and casinos regularly host Seven Card Stud Poker games.  Five Card Stud Poker games and the many Stud Poker game variations are more common at home poker games.

Here are your poker rules.

Community Card Poker Rules discusses the poker rules and strategies for community card poker games such as Texas Holdem and Omaha as well as many others:

Draw Poker Rules discusses the poker rules and strategies for standard five card draw poker, common house poker rules, casino poker rules, and draw poker game variations including:

Stud Poker Rules discusses the poker rules and strategies for stud poker games including five card stud poker and seven card stud poker, betting rounds, common stud poker rules, and stud poker game variations including:

Gambling Poker is your source for poker rules.

Gambling Poker Index

Gambling Poker  |  Poker Hands
Poker Betting |  Poker Tournaments |  Poker Newsletter
Community Card Poker  |  Draw Poker |  Stud Poker
Low Hand A-5  |  Low Hand A-6 |  Low Hand 2-7
World Series of Poker  |  World Poker Tour  |  Online Poker
Las Vegas Poker  |  Atlantic City Poker  |  Gambling Sites
Contact Us  |  Search Gambling Poker  |  Poker Sites